The paper analyses theoretically what role fiscal councils could play and surveys empirically the activities of existing councils. Case studies of the Swedish Fiscal Policy Council and the UK Office for Budget Responsibility are done. It is concluded that fiscal councils should be advisory,...

There is now almost universal acceptance that tax law is overly complex and indeterminate; and yet, there has to date been no comprehensive assessment of the role of the tax authority in the current arrangement. If the legislation and case law offer few immediate answers to the taxpayer, then the...

This paper assesses Robbins's participation in the Economic Advisory Council in 1930, drawing mostly on The Lionel Robbins Papers held at the LSE. The divergences between him and Keynes are highlighted and an attempt is made to shed some light on Robbins' overarching interest on the interplay of...

Findings in behavioral science, including psychology, have influenced policies and reforms in many nations. Choice architecture can affect outcomes even if material incentives are not involved. In some contexts, default rules, simplification, and social norms have had even larger effects than...

Findings in behavioral science, including psychology, have been influencing policies and reforms in many nations. “Choice architecture” can affect outcomes even if material incentives are not involved. In some contexts, default rules, simplification, and uses of social norms have been found...

A client fires his financial adviser because his returns lag the market and the returns of his best friend.An adviser constructs portfolios from low-cost index funds, and his clients question why he trades so infrequently—only once a quarter when he rebalances portfolios.An organizer of a...

In this paper Sir Ivor Richardson discusses the role and possible methods of work of lawyers assigned to law reform tasks outside their home jurisdictions. In particular, he relates his comments to his own experience in preparing fiscal and banking legislation for Mauritius, Tonga and Western Samoa