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Political fractionalization and delay in fiscal stabilizations: a duration analysis

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  • Kevin Grier
  • Shu Lin
  • Haichun Ye

Abstract

This article employs a duration analysis approach to empirically investigate whether political fractionalization leads to delayed fiscal stabilizations. Using a broad sample of both developed and developing countries for the period 1975–2011, we consistently find strong evidence that political fractionalization is significantly associated with longer delays in stabilizing high deficits. In particular, political fractionalization has a greater impact on delays in periods of macroeconomic distress. We also show that, while the fractionalization of government parties delays fiscal stabilization, the fractionalization of opposition parties tends to facilitate fiscal stabilization. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin Grier & Shu Lin & Haichun Ye, 2015. "Political fractionalization and delay in fiscal stabilizations: a duration analysis," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 164(1), pages 157-175, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:164:y:2015:i:1:p:157-175
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-015-0267-6
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    Cited by:

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    2. Samba Diop & Simplice A. Asongu, 2023. "Trust Institutions, Perceptions of Economic Performance and the Mitigating role of Political Diversity in Sub-Saharan Africa," Working Papers 23/013, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    3. Tobignaré Yabré & Gervasio Semedo, 2021. "Political stability and fiscal consolidation in sub‐Saharan African countries," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(4), pages 1077-1109, April.
    4. Luigi Marattin & Tommaso Nannicini & Francesco Porcelli, 2022. "Revenue vs expenditure based fiscal consolidation: the pass-through from federal cuts to local taxes," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 29(4), pages 834-872, August.
    5. Attig, Najah & El Ghoul, Sadok & Guedhami, Omrane & Zheng, Xiaolan, 2021. "Dividends and economic policy uncertainty: International evidence," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    6. Markus Leibrecht & Johann Scharler, 2021. "Veto players, market discipline, and structural fiscal consolidations," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 188(3), pages 361-384, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fiscal stabilization; Political fractionalization; Duration; Hazard; E6; H3; H6;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E6 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook
    • H3 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents
    • H6 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt

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