The case for fiscal equalisation can arise because of differences between states' average incomes or populations. In this paper, we examine the latter in a simple case, using different formulations of the social welfare function: Benthamite; Rawlsian; and Nash. We distinguish, in the process, two...

This paper outlines and discusses explanations of the substantial shift in the economic policy regime in Australia. The first regime held from federation through the 1970s. It focused on extensive development, through the attraction and retention of selected immigrants by a set of...

This paper re-examines criticisms made of vertical fiscal imbalance in Australian and other federations. We argue that one of the central criticisms made of vertical fiscal imbalance is unproven. Vertical fiscal imbalance occurs when the central government collects more taxes than it spends on...

John Quiggin's paper attacks public-choice theory, among other things, for its use of the assumption of "rational egoism." The object of the authors' response is twofold. First, to disting uish egoism from rationality and to indicate that rationality postula tes, when faithfully applied, provide...