Political Institutions, State Capabilities and Public Policy: International Evidence

Inter-American Development Bank Research Department Working Paper No. 661

45 Pages Posted: 7 Feb 2010

See all articles by Carlos Scartascini

Carlos Scartascini

Research Department - Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

Ernesto Stein

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

Mariano Tommasi

Universidad de San Andres - Department of Economics

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: December 30, 2008

Abstract

This paper introduces preliminary evidence from a cross-country database of policy characteristics and potential uses of that database. While most databases have emphasized either the content of policies (e.g., size of government deficits) or countries’ formal institutions (e.g., political regime, electoral system), the variables in this database reflect the policymaking capabilities of different polities. The paper attempts to explain these policy characteristics as depending on the workings of political institutions, using a logic emphasizing intertemporal political compromise. The paper also contrasts this logic with alternatives such as the veto players approach. The paper concludes by suggesting the use of these policy characteristics or state capabilities as explanatory variables for the effectiveness of public spending in various social areas.

Keywords: Political institutions, Public Policies, Government Capabilities, Veto Players, Intertemporal Cooperation, Development, Human Development Index, Public Expenditures, Policy Index, Adaptability, Stability, Judicial Independence, Party Institutionalization, Congress Capabilities, Cabinet Stability

JEL Classification: D72, D78, H10, H50, O10

Suggested Citation

Scartascini, Carlos G. and Stein, Ernesto Hugo and Tommasi, Mariano, Political Institutions, State Capabilities and Public Policy: International Evidence (December 30, 2008). Inter-American Development Bank Research Department Working Paper No. 661 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1549006 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1549006

Carlos G. Scartascini (Contact Author)

Research Department - Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) ( email )

1300 New York Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20577
United States
2026231963 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.cscartascini.org

Ernesto Hugo Stein

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) ( email )

1300 New York Avenue, NW
Research Department
Washington, DC 20577
United States

Mariano Tommasi

Universidad de San Andres - Department of Economics ( email )

Vito Dumas 284
Victoria, Buenos Aires B1644BID
Argentina
+5411-4725-7020 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://faculty.udesa.edu.ar/tommasi/index.htm

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
167
Abstract Views
1,270
Rank
187,508
PlumX Metrics