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Kosten der Kleinheit und die Föderalismusdebatte in der Schweiz

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  • Kellermann, Kersten

Abstract

This paper discusses the smallness of subsidiary jurisdictions as a third dimension of centrality, besides vertical centrality and fragmentation (horizontal centrality). A panel analysis concerning all 26 Swiss cantons (from 1990 to 2003) shows that public expenditure per-capita increases with the number of inhabitants of a canton. This holds for the aggregate expenditure level and for 6 expenditure categories of the Government Finance Statistics. The positive elasticity of per-capita expenditure with respect to population size can be understood as an indicator for increasing government failure in jurisdictions with bigger population size.

Suggested Citation

  • Kellermann, Kersten, 2007. "Kosten der Kleinheit und die Föderalismusdebatte in der Schweiz," KOFL Working Papers 3, Konjunkturforschungsstelle Liechtenstein (KOFL), Vaduz.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:koflwp:3
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Kosten der Kleinheit; Skaleneffekte; Dezentralität; Einwohnerelastizität; Öffentliche Ausgaben; Föderalismus; Leviathan-Hypothese;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H40 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - General
    • H72 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Budget and Expenditures
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism

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