Suchergebnisse

Investigates the fiscal impacts of immigrants on NJ, drawing on a microanalysis of 1990 US census household-level data. It is found that both immigrants & native-born residents in NJ receive more in government assistance than they pay in taxes. However, the relative burden of immigrants is greater than that of native-born residents, because they have larger household fiscal deficits. Much of this burden is placed on local governments rather than the state government. Directions for future microanalysis are briefly discussed. 6 Tables, 34 References. D. M. Smith

Although there is no common fiscal policy at the European Union (EU) level in Croatia, accession will entail important changes in budgetary revenue and expenditure. On the one hand, accession brings transfers from the EU budget, but also means the loss of customs revenue as well as the need to adjust the structure of tax revenue. On the other hand, in conjunction with significant expenditure for adjustment in areas such as transportation and the environment, as well as expenditures for the EU budget, there will be a change in the structure of expenditure, in order to be able to check on transfers from the Structural Funds. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the intensity and direction of fiscal effects that accession will lead to, as well as the changes in
their structure and the possibility of meeting the convergence criteria.

Considers the focus of the comparative political economy literatures, stressing the positive issues of how institutions work & why, as well as the state of current empirical estimates of their impacts. Following an introduction on the political economy of institutions that contextualized the specialized & policy-focused research arenas, attention turns to discussing how, in institutional political economy, studies have coalesced around the concepts of credibility in monetary policy & centralization & transparency in fiscal policy. Demonstrated is the salience of relating policy outcomes to economic fundamentals as well as the ideological or redistributive pursuits of political actors (eg, parties, interest groups) & the institutional policy-making context. How transparency & credibility relate is addressed along with how the study of monetary & fiscal policy institutions might be integrated. J. Zendejas

The effects of Brazilian federalism on the process of economic reform are analyzed in the context of the interactions & balance of power between the president & the governors, Congress, & others protecting state interests. Federalism indicators alone -- the resource base of subnational governments, the power of governors, the national Congress' degree of emphasis on subnational interests, & the distribution of government functions across levels -- would give Brazilian state actors leverage over presidents, which was the case in three presidential policy initiatives between 1985-1994 -- state debt containment, state bank control, & fiscal allocation adjustments between the national & subnational governments. This situation was reversed during President Fernando Henrique Cardoso's 1995-2002 regime because of factors specific to his administration, eg, the President's skill in achieving reform, the degree of Congressional backing for the President, & presidential performance. It is concluded that the study of federalism's effects on policy cannot be reduced to institutional issues, but have to include complementary variables. 4 Tables, 81 References. M. Pflum

The institutional context of federalism in Mexico & the institutional configuration of fiscal federalism are examined with reference to relevant Constitutional articles. The relative importance of the federal institutional framework vs. the party system on funding allocation for education & social infrastructure are studied using regression analysis. Prior to the mid-1990s, the bargaining power of governors & senators in the allocation of federal funds to the states was strictly limited because the upper chamber of Congress has become a space for party & not regional representation. The processes of decentralization within the health sector are contrasted with the politicized environment in education. With the loss of the Institutional Revolutionary Party's majority in the lower chamber & the presidential seat in 1997, the funding situation is changing even without institutional change. 5 Tables, 30 References. M. Pflum

Grahame Thompson enters the debate on the reality & potential of globalization with a dual warning to David Held & Martin Wolf: the international financial system is unsustainable -- & its coming crisis may undermine both Held's radical reformism & Wolf's optimistic certainty. Adapted from the source document.

Laffan illuminates the European Union (EU)'s governance by describing its budget-making process & politics. The primary functions of budgets are listed along with the EU's budget amounts, 1973-1998. There is a brief review of the budget of the EU's predecessor, the European Coal & Steel Community, 1952-1969, budgetary crises & conflicts, 1970-1986, & the institutionalization of the budget, 1987-1999. Data on budget creation & management are enriched by information on macronegotiations, the annual budget cycle, 1990's expansion, auditing, the discharge procedure, & means of addressing fraud. Future budgetary planning & conflicts are revealed by details of Agenda 2000, proposal formatting, & negotiations within the EU's councils. Ways in which the budgeting process embodies EU's goals of integration & representation are explored. The need for stabilization, accountability, & flexibility is addressed. 4 Tables, 1 Figure, 2 References. M. C. Leary

A discussion of Poland's position in the budget & finance area of accession negotiations for EU membership focuses on Poland's stance that it should "achieve the position of a net beneficiary from the first year of membership." The feasibility of this arrangement that would necessitate payments to the EU budget that are smaller than transfers, is considered by examining the possible size of transfers, problems of their utilization, & the probable size of contributions. Key elements of the contributions EU members are required to make to the budget used to finance common policies are described. It is concluded that Poland's request to phase in its budget contribution is justified but, in order to avoid becoming a net contributor to the EU budget & not a net beneficiary, Poland must arrange to make the most efficient use of EU financial transfers in addition to negotiating a phasing in of budget contributions. Also, the terms of payments to the EU common budget should be determined only after talks in other areas are completed. J. Lindroth

The relationship between multi-level governance & economic policy-making, especially within the European Monetary Union & within Central & Eastern European nations, is examined. Wallace Oates' (1972) concept of fiscal federalism is reviewed, & contemporary developments with the notion are identified, eg, the relationship between political decentralization & both market vitality & economic performance. After noting areas of methodological compatibility between multi-level governance & fiscal federalism, the capacity of both approaches to account for economic reform & decentralization in the former communist European nations & to explain the European Monetary Union's framework for policy coordination are evaluated. Despite the existence of international financial & economic organizations, it is asserted that individual nations are reluctant to relinquish economic authority to supranational organizations & that only the World Trade Organization truly functions as an institution of global economic governance. J. W. Parker

The level of success achieved by Turkey's neoliberal economic policy during the 1980s & 1990s is investigated. An overview of the nation's economic performance during the 1980s & 1990s is presented, emphasizing economic growth, export performance, macroeconomic stability, investment, & income distribution. It is contended that Turkey's 1994 economic crisis was primarily produced by unsustainable fiscal disequilibrium; specific problems with public expenditure levels & gross public revenues are cited as engendering such fiscal imbalance. The state's economic programs for encouraging economic growth during the mid-1990s are studied. Whereas the 1994 economic crisis was caused by poor domestic management, the 1998-99 economic decline was largely the result of external factors. Although growing income inequalities between classes, comparatively low foreign direct investment rates, & political instability all threaten the nation's current economy, several developments that provide hope for realizing economic growth are mentioned. In addition, Turkey's prospects for establishing economic relations with the US are also contemplated. 3 Tables, 7 Figures. J. W. Parker

Explores the development of 1990s US antipoverty programs. A quick look at the contextual factors of economic performance, public opinion, & population subgroup poverty trends is followed by a discussion of the impact of (pre)taxes & (pre)transfers on poverty. Against this backdrop, the safety net, comprising social insurance & means-tested transfers, is detailed. Focus turns to the degree to which tax & transfer programs alleviate poverty, updating Daniel Weinberg (eg, 1991) & addressing four questions: the size of the poverty gap & its change since 1979; the effectiveness of programs to fill that gap; shifts in tax & transfer program effectiveness over time; & differential policy effects across the elderly, one- & two-parent families, & childless families. Program impact on labor supply, saving, & family formation is also considered. It is found that the tax & transfer system has measurable effects on low-income family behavior; a positive relationship between post-tax wage rates & labor force participation is revealed. It is argued that policy developments hinge on welfare reform lessons: (1) Benefits will continue to be connected to responsibility. (2) A diminution of support for social insurance & the disabled is unlikely. (3) Fiscal climate (ie, deficits) drives antipoverty spending. Opinions on the direction of the policy debate are offered. 3 Tables, 8 Figures, 1 Appendix. J. Zendejas

Explores the development of 1990s US antipoverty programs. A quick look at the contextual factors of economic performance, public opinion, & population subgroup poverty trends is followed by a discussion of the impact of (pre)taxes & (pre)transfers on poverty. Against this backdrop, the safety net, comprising social insurance & means-tested transfers, is detailed. Focus turns to the degree to which tax & transfer programs alleviate poverty, updating Daniel Weinberg (eg, 1991) & addressing four questions: the size of the poverty gap & its change since 1979; the effectiveness of programs to fill that gap; shifts in tax & transfer program effectiveness over time; & differential policy effects across the elderly, one- & two-parent families, & childless families. Program impact on labor supply, saving, & family formation is also considered. It is found that the tax & transfer system has measurable effects on low-income family behavior; a positive relationship between post-tax wage rates & labor force participation is revealed. It is argued that policy developments hinge on welfare reform lessons: (1) Benefits will continue to be connected to responsibility. (2) A diminution of support for social insurance & the disabled is unlikely. (3) Fiscal climate (ie, deficits) drives antipoverty spending. Opinions on the direction of the policy debate are offered. 3 Tables, 8 Figures, 1 Appendix. J. Zendejas

Considers the role of culture in the economic development of New York City, focusing on the impact of tourist spending on the arts. Sources of funding for the arts at the local, state, & national levels are identified, including both public & private policies & programs. Changes in sources of income, 1982-1998, are traced, & potential impacts of increasing privatization are explored. Results of an economic impact assessment for fiscal year 1995 demonstrate the billion of dollars & jobs generated by nonprofit institutions (dance, museums, music); commercial theaters; TV & film; art galleries; auction houses; & businesses serving tourists. A critical perspective is offered on the utility of such assessments for making cultural arts policy & funding decisions. Debate surrounding the granting of public subsidies to those arts organizations with the widest public appeal, "legitimacy," or economic impact is also summarized. 2 Tables, 24 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

Several aspects of the 2000 US presidential campaigns & election are studied. Overviews of the influence of the Clinton administration on the campaigns, the Republican & Democratic presidential & vice presidential candidates, & the outcomes in the state primaries are presented. The respective campaign strategies undertaken by George W. Bush & Al Gore & the general election campaign for the principal candidates are reviewed. Bush's & Gore's respective positions on abortion, campaign finance reform, civil rights, military policy, fiscal policy, education, the environment, health care, & social security are summarized. Both major candidates' respective performance in the three presidential debates & their electoral college strategies are addressed. The campaign & presidential election performance of Green Party candidate Ralph Nader are then considered. Additional attention is directed toward exploring how the major candidates financed their election campaigns. 8 Tables, 7 References. J. W. Parker