We extend "economic equivalence" results, like the Ricardian equivalence proposition, to the political sphere where policy is chosen sequentially. We derive conditions under which a policy regime (summarizing admissible policy choices in every period) and a state are "politico-economically...

We propose a theory of tax centralization and inter governmental grants in politico-economic equilibrium. The cost of taxation differs across levels of government because voters internalize general equilibrium effects at the central but not at the local level. This renders the degree of tax...

Contents: Preface -- Part I: Public debt and individual rationality -- 1. De Viti de Marco vs. Ricardo on public debt: self-extinction or default? / Giuseppe Eusepi and Richard E. Wagner -- 2. Governing the market for sovereign bailouts / Karsten Mause -- 3. Political obligations: is debt...