This paper studies whether budget rigidities affect the probability of countries getting into fiscal distress and reduce the likelihood of governments performing fiscal adjustments. Budget rigidities are constraints that limit the ability of the government to change the size and structure of the...

This paper analyses Greek fiscal sustainability from a retrospective and a prospective view. Implications of Greek fiscal (un)sustainability are discussed. In the empirical analysis econometric testing of Greek government solvency during the period 1985-2008 is combined with a scenario analysis...

In the context of crisis in Europe and of relative heyday in Latin America that was experienced at the beginning of this decade, we talk about the need for fiscal rules as a common formula to be implemented in these two worlds. It is needed here the role of this instrument and places it within...

This paper reviews the debate over fiscal rules and specifically balanced-budget requirements with regards to sub-national (state/regional) government. It will be argued that fiscal rules, if properly designed, can play an important role in balancing the relations between central and...

The Scottish Government's overall budget depends both on funding from the UK government, which is determined largely via the Barnett formula, and on its own devolved revenues, borrowing and reserves, which are governed by the Fiscal Framework. This chapter of the report looks at the funding...