THE OPTIMAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE FINANCING POLICY: DOES THE LEVEL OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MATTER? |
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Authors: | NILOY BOSE JILL A HOLMAN KYRIAKOS C NEANIDIS |
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Institution: | Bose:;Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Bolton Hall, P. O. Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201. Phone 1-414-229-6132, Fax 1-414-229-3860, E-mail Holman:;Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Bolton Hall, P.O. Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201. Phone 1-414-229-6132, Fax 1-414-229-3860, E-mail Neanidis:;Lecturer in Macroeconomics, Economics, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. Phone 44-161-275-4832, Fax 44-161-275-4812, E-mail |
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Abstract: | This paper explores how the optimal mode of public finance depends on the level of economic development. The theoretical analysis suggests that in the presence of capital market imperfection and liquidity shocks, the detrimental effect of inflation on growth is stronger (weaker) at lower (higher) levels of economic development. Consequently, income taxation (seigniorage) is a relatively less distortionary way of financing public expenditure for low-income (high-income) countries. We provide empirical support for our model's predictions using a panel of 21 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries and 40 developing countries observed over the period 1972–1999. ( JEL E44, E6, H6, O42) |
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