Political Institutions, State Capabilities and Public Policy - International Evidence

Carlos Scartascini, Ernesto Stein and Mariano Tommasi

No 4608, Research Department Publications from Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department

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 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D72 D78 H10 H50 O10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm, nep-pbe and nep-pol
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Political Institutions, State Capabilities and Public Policy: International Evidence (2008)
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