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The Tradeoff Between Efficiency and Macroeconomic Stabilization in Europe

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Author Info
Carlos Martinez-Mongay () (European Commission)
Khalid Sekkat () (DULBEA, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels)

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Abstract

The paper contributes to the debate on the stability/efficiency tradeoff of automatic stabilizers. A simple AD-AS two countries model is presented and illustrates circumstances where a reduction in taxes can foster stabilization. The testable implication from the model is that tax cuts can either increase or decrease volatility depending on the structure of the taxation system. Hence, lowering taxes for efficiency purposes may not cost in terms of stabilization. This implication is tested on a sample of 25 OECD countries over the period 1960-1999 taking account of the endogeneity and omitted variables issues identified in the literature. We found acceptably robust evidence that the size of governments in OECD countries has played a stabilizing role for both output and inflation. However, the relationship between government size and macroeconomic stability is not linear. The composition of public finances, in particular the tax mix, matters for output and price volatility. Distorting taxes, namely taxes on labor and capital, might have negative effects on macroeconomic stability. Consequently, the potential trade off between stability and flexibility might not exist.

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Paper provided by Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA) in its series Working Papers DULBEA with number 05-04.RS.

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Length: 34 pages
Date of creation: Feb 2005
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:dul:wpaper:05-04rs

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Related research
Keywords: Automatic stabilizers; efficiency; Europe;

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
E3 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles
E6 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook
H1 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government

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  2. Buti, Marco & Sapir, André, 2001. "EMU in the Early Years: Differences and Credibility," CEPR Discussion Papers 2832, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  4. Thierry Lallemand & Robert Plasman & François Rycx, 2005. "The Establishment-Size Wage Premium: Evidence from European Countries," IZA Discussion Papers 1569, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
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  5. Francesco Daveri & Guido Tabellini, 2000. "Unemployment, growth and taxation in industrial countries," Economic Policy, CEPR, CES, MSH, vol. 15(30), pages 47-104, 04. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  6. Fatas, Antonio & Mihov, Ilian, 2001. "Government size and automatic stabilizers: international and intranational evidence," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 55(1), pages 3-28, October. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  7. Sapir, Andre & Sekkat, Khalid, 2002. " Political Cycles, Fiscal Deficits, and Output Spillovers in Europe," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 111(1-2), pages 195-205, March. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  8. Thibault Biebuyck & Ariane Chapelle & Ariane Szafarz, 2002. "Les leviers de contrôle des actionnaires majoritaires," Working Papers CEB 03-001.RS, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Centre Emile Bernheim (CEB). [Downloadable!]
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  9. Ariane Chapelle & Ariane Szafarz, 2005. "Controlling Firms through the Majority Voting Rule," Working Papers DULBEA 05-05.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
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  10. Mendoza, Enrique G. & Milesi-Ferretti, Gian Maria & Asea, Patrick, 1997. "On the ineffectiveness of tax policy in altering long-run growth: Harberger's superneutrality conjecture," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 99-126, October. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  11. Khalid Sekkat & Marie-Ange Veganzones-Varoudakis, 2005. "Trade and Foreign Exchange Liberalization, Investment Climate and FDI in the MENA," Working Papers DULBEA 05-06.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
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  2. Henri Capron & Michele Cincera, 2007. "EU Pre-competitive and Near-the-Market S&T Collaborations," Working Papers DULBEA 07-17.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
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  3. Bodo Herzog, 2005. "Why do bigger countries have more problems with the Stability and Growth Pact?," cege – Center for European, Governance and Economic Development Research Discussion Papers 40, cege – Center for European, Governance and Economic Development Research, University of Goettingen (Germany).. [Downloadable!]
  4. Benoît Mahy & François Rycx & Mélanie Volral, 2008. "L’influence de la dispersion salariale sur la performance des grandes entreprises belges," Working Papers DULBEA 08-13.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
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  5. Oscar Bernal, 2006. "Do interactions between political authorities and central banks influence FX interventions? Evidence from Japan," Working Papers DULBEA 06-03.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
  6. Javier Andrés & Rafael Doménech, 2006. "Fiscal Rules and Macroeconomic Stability," Hacienda Pública Española, IEF, vol. 176(1), pages 9-41, April. [Downloadable!]
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  7. Abdeslam Marfouk, 2008. "The African Brain Drain: Scope and Determinants," Working Papers DULBEA 08-07.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
  8. Hassan Ayoub & Jérôme Creel & Etienne Farvaque, 2008. "Détermination du niveau des prix et finances: le cas du Liban, 1965-2005," Working Papers DULBEA 08-10.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
  9. Sîle O'Dorchai, 2008. "Pay inequality in 25 European countries," Working Papers DULBEA 08-06.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
  10. Henri Capron, 2007. "Politique de cohésion et développement régional," Working Papers DULBEA 07-16.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
  11. Pierre-Guillaume Méon & Laurent Weill, 2006. "Does financial intermediation matter for macroeconomic efficiency?," Working Papers DULBEA 06-13.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
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  12. Olivier Debande & Jean-Luc De Meulemeester, 2008. "Quality and variety competition in higher education," Working Papers DULBEA 08-12.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
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  13. Ilan Tojerow, 2008. "Industry Wage Differential, Rent Sharing and Gender in Belgium," Working Papers DULBEA 08-20.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
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  14. Rafael Domenech & Javier Andres & Antonio Fatas, 2006. "The Stabilizing Role of Government Size," Working Papers 0603, International Economics Institute, University of Valencia, revised Jan 2007. [Downloadable!]
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  15. Oscar Bernal & Kim Oosterlinck & Ariane Szafarz, 2009. "Observing bailout expectations during a total eclipse of the sun," Working Papers DULBEA 09-01.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
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  16. Ariane Szafarz, 2007. "Hiring People-like-Yourself: A Representation of Discrimination on the Job Market," Working Papers DULBEA 07-21.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
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  17. Charles Plaigin, 2009. "Exploratory study on the presence of cultural and institutional growth spillovers," Working Papers DULBEA 09-03.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
  18. Jérôme de Henau & Leila Maron & Danièle Meulders & Sîle O'Dorchai, 2007. "Travail et Maternité en Europe, COnditions de Travail et Politiques Publiques," Working Papers DULBEA 07-14.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
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  19. Olga Bourachnikova, 2007. "Weighting Function in the Behavioral Portfolio Theory," Working Papers DULBEA 07-07.RS, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA). [Downloadable!]
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