Assessing the progressivity of a fiscal system is relevant to develop a global idea on the extent of redistribution. In this paper we assess the evolution of progressivity over time and how economic shocks and government fiscal policy affects its design. The social performance of fiscal...

We present a theoretical model of a parliamentary democracy where electoral competition inside coalition governments induces higher spending than under single party governments. Policy preferences of parties are endogenous and derived from opportunistic reelection motives. The electoral rule...

In this paper, we model - quantitatively – a possible realistic interaction between a taxpayer and his Government. We formalize, in a general setting, this strategic interaction. Moreover, we analyze completely a particular realistic sample of the general model. We determine the entire payoff...

The aim of this paper is to study empirical evidence supporting the hypothesis that discretionary fiscal policy is asymmetric over the business cycle in Uruguay. We estimate fiscal reaction functions covering annual data from 1970 through 2009, in which the dynamics of fiscal balance is due to...

Given the global financial crisis and, particularly, the European sovereign-debt crisis, European countries have the urgent need to promote output growth. However, due to the current financial constraints, it is difficult for the Governments to stimulate economic growth by directly increasing...

Remarks at Fordham Wall Street Council, Fordham University Graduate School of Business, New York City.

Remarks at the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York.

Schools are essential in forming human capital and in improving the long-term health of the economy. They are also heavily reliant on state and local funds, which were severely depleted during the Great Recession. To alleviate some of the strain on local budgets, the federal government passed...

Mexico is a highly centralized federation. The states and municipalities are highly dependent on federal transfers and so equally at risk to the country’s fiscal dependence on oil. Although Mexico has become more truly federal since multiparty competition has become vibrant and several states...