This paper examines the evidence of cost efficiencies resulting from hypothetical mergers in the Italian banking market. The approach adopted is similar to that of Shaffer (1992, 1993) where bank mergers are simulated and then total costs are calculated using the hybrid translog methodology for...

We use a bivariate probit model with sample selection to investigate the factors affecting financial exclusion of Bolivian households. We find evidence that for heads of households, being female and indigenous is likely to result in exclusion from formal credit mechanisms, though being employed...

A growing economics literature argues that taxation can strengthen the quality of governance and public sector institutions by making governments more responsive and accountable to their citizens, building capacity, and improving public policy. In this paper, we provide empirical support for...

<p>A growing economics literature argues that taxation can strengthen the quality of governance and public sector institutions by making governments more responsive and accountable to their citizens, building capacity, and improving public policy. In this paper, we provide some empirical support...</p>

The literature on the economics of fiscal decentralization stresses the potential for both positive and negative effects on the quality of governance in a country. The empirical evidence on the issue is scant. In this paper, we add to the empirical evidence by testing for a relationship between...

In an empirical contribution to the literature of foreign aid, we estimate the impact of foreign aid on democracy in a panel of 93 developing economies during 1971-2010. We find that foreign aid promotes democracy, with the result robust to different estimation methodologies and control...