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A model of the optimal allocation of government expenditures

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  • Fan, Simon
  • Pang, Yu
  • Pestieau, Pierre

Abstract

Government expenditures can be used for various socioeconomic objectives, including public education, consumption of public goods and services, and social protection. This paper analyzes the optimal allocation of public expenditures among these competing functions. We establish an overlapping generations model with heterogeneous individuals in which the government optimally chooses income tax, transfer payment, educational spending, and public consumption. Our model characterizes the transitional dynamics and the steady state of each function with and without a pay‐as‐you‐go intergenerational contract. We also conduct a simulation illustrating that the presence of an intergenerational contract may raise public consumption and social welfare in the steady state.
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Suggested Citation

  • Fan, Simon & Pang, Yu & Pestieau, Pierre, 2019. "A model of the optimal allocation of government expenditures," LIDAM Reprints CORE 3084, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    • Handle: RePEc:cor:louvrp:3084
    Note: In : Journal of Public Economic Theory, doi.org/10.1111/jpet.12416
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • H50 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - General

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