Intergovernmental Grants and Public Input Provision: Theory and Evidence from Germany
36 Pages Posted: 23 Jan 2007 Last revised: 26 Aug 2008
Date Written: 2007
Abstract
This paper uses a simple model of fiscal competition between local jurisdictions to analyse the impact of intergovernmental grants on the composition of public spending. We find that a higher degree of redistribution within a system of fiscal equalisation coincides with a smaller overall share of spending on productivity-enhancing public inputs. Furthermore, in order to test the theoretical predictions, we carry out an empirical analysis based on a panel of German states. The results are consistent with the theoretical findings and support the existence of an incentive effect of intergovernmental grants on state expenditure policies.
Keywords: Fiscal competition, Fiscal equalisation, Intergovernmental grants, Public expenditure, Germany
JEL Classification: H72, H77
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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