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Is a fiscal union optimal for a monetary union?

Author

Listed:
  • Berriel, Rafael
  • Gonzalez-Aguado, Eugenia
  • Kehoe, Patrick J.
  • Pastorino, Elena

Abstract

When is a fiscal union appropriate for a monetary union? In a monetary union without fiscal externalities, when local fiscal authorities have an informational advantage over a central fiscal authority in terms of their knowledge of countries’ preferences for government spending, a decentralized fiscal regime dominates a centralized one. Our novel result is that in the presence of fiscal externalities across countries, however, a decentralized fiscal regime is optimal for small monetary unions, whereas a centralized fiscal regime is optimal for large ones. These results shed new light on the debate on fiscal integration within the EU and its enlargement.

Suggested Citation

  • Berriel, Rafael & Gonzalez-Aguado, Eugenia & Kehoe, Patrick J. & Pastorino, Elena, 2024. "Is a fiscal union optimal for a monetary union?," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 157-177.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:moneco:v:141:y:2024:i:c:p:157-177
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoneco.2023.11.003
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fiscal delegation; Fiscal federalism; Externalities; Public goods; European Union enlargement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E61 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • E65 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Studies of Particular Policy Episodes
    • E69 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Other
    • F42 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - International Policy Coordination and Transmission
    • F45 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Macroeconomic Issues of Monetary Unions

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