Research and Publications
Journal Articles
The Design of Fiscal Rules and Forms of Governance in European Union Countries
2007, European Journal of Political Economy
Jürgen von Hagen, Mark Hallerberg, Rolf R. Strauch
Abstract
This paper examines the development of fiscal rules and budget procedures in EU countries, and their impact of public finances since the mid-1980s. It presents a new data set on institutional reforms and their impact in Europe. Empirical pattern confirm our prediction that more stringent fiscal rules exist under large coalition governments, while the centralisation of budgetary procedures is the main form of fiscal governance elsewhere. In addition, the centralisation of procedures does not restrain public debt in countries more prone to a rules-based approach, whereas more stringent fiscal rules seem to support fiscal discipline in almost all EU countries.
Citation
von Hagen, Jürgen, Mark Hallerberg, and Rolf R. Strauch (2007), "The Design of Fiscal Rules and Forms of Governance in European Union Countries," European Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 338-359.
Keywords
public indebtedness, budgetary procedures, fiscal rules, European public finances
