Vertical Competition in Unitary States: The Case of Italy

Albert Breton and Angela Fraschini ()

Public Choice, 2003, vol. 114, issue 1-2, 57-77

Abstract: In unitary states--states in which constitutional powers are owned by the central government--vertical competition can generate stable outcomes, that is outcomes that do not unravel through arbitrary repossessions by the center. Stability is a product of institutional commitment devices. Through these a democratic government, though it cannot bind successor governments, can effectively oblige them to respect some of the decisions it has made. A number of such commitment devices exist in Italy; they make possible stable vertical competition between central and regional governments. Copyright 2003 by Kluwer Academic Publishers

Date: 2003
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