Actors and the information flows in the Czech parliamentary budget debate

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-338
Author(s):  
Lucie Sedmihradská ◽  
Jan Kučera
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
The State ◽  
Budget Process ◽  
State Budget ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Budget Proposal ◽  
Chamber Of Deputies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a model that allows analyzing exchange and use of fiscal information by the roles of actors involved in the budget process and to apply the proposed model to the 2018 Czech state budget debate. The aim is to identify approaches used by the members of the Chamber of Deputies (members of the parliament (MPs)) when gathering information to be used in their decision making on the state budget, and to evaluate usefulness of the information provided through the executive’s budget proposal. Design/methodology/approach This paper is the observatory study of the Czech 2018 state budget debate based on a set of unstructured interviews with newly elected MPs. Findings When it comes to the MPs deciding about the state budget the executive’s budget proposal seems to be an insufficient source of information as the MPs relied heavily on various information brokers during the budget debate. The use of information and communication technologies in the process of information provision lags behind its potential. Practical implications The authors suggest two possible ways to improve the effective transparency of the Czech state budget debate: standardization of the chapter books and making them available to every MP as well as to the general public, and adding the budget proposal to the Monitor budget explorer – a publicly available budget explorer provided by the Ministry of Finance. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies in the proposal of the Fiscal Information Ecosystem Model and its application to the 2018 Czech state budget debate which shows how the members of the Czech Chamber of Deputies gathered information they needed in their decision making.

scholarly journals Transparency of Public and Local Finances: Foreign Experience

2020 ◽  
pp. 18-30
Author(s):  
INNA O. SHKOLNYK ◽  
NATALIIA G. VYHOVSKA ◽  
YULIIA S. HAVRYSH ◽  
ANDRII O. IVANCHENKO
Keyword(s):  
Fiscal Policy ◽  
The State ◽  
Budget Process ◽  
State Budget ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Public Finances ◽  
Information Portal ◽  
Foreign Experience ◽  
The Republic ◽  
State And Local

In modern conditions, the role of transparency of both public and local finances is growing significantly, which is a tool to increase the efficiency of financial resources, which confirms the analysis of Ukrainian and foreign studies. In Ukraine, the level of transparency is improving every year and as of 2019 is assessed by international organizations as the minimum allowable. At the same time, the level of transparency of local budgets differs significantly in different regions. To improve the situation and implement best practices in the field of transparency of public finances at both the state and local levels, it is important to analyze the foreign experience of those countries that are leaders in ratings of transparency of public authorities and transparency of the budget process. The paper analyzes the experience of the Office of the Public Accountant of Texas (USA), the Treasury of New Zealand, and the Treasury of the Republic of South Africa, which according to the open budget rating provided by the International Budget Partnership are among the 10 most transparent countries. Analysis of the content of the information portal of the Texas Public Accounts Controller Office showed a separate section “Transparency” with a detailed presentation of information in terms of key blocks of revenues and expenditures, state budget and finances, information on the formation and use of funds in all localities, information on budget deficit as well as information on transparency at the level of individual settlements, school districts, etc. A comparative analysis with the state of transparency of Ukrainian government agencies responsible for the development and implementation of fiscal policy and identifies weaknesses and strengths in terms of their transparency. It is established that the openness of the process of using public finances in Ukraine is gradually increasing, while the positions in the world transparency rating are also improving. However, the conceptual difference between building sites in the countries analyzed is that they report to taxpayers in a form that is accessible to them, rather than simply covering available information without comment or explanation. Keywords: open budget, participation, public finances, rating, fiscal policy.

Stakeholder participation in Lopburi Old Town conservation master plan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tritsana Sorat ◽  
Nug-Rob Rawangkarn ◽  
Wee Rawang ◽  
Kanang Kantamaturapoj
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Public Participation ◽  
Stakeholder Participation ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Master Plan ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Flexible Form

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the meaningful public participation in activities relating to the master plan development and, at the same time, propose some recommendations for improvement.Design/methodology/approachThe study was carried out with in-depth interviews of 35 key-informants selected from various stakeholder groups involving in public participation activities. The evaluation frameworks for meaningful participation were developed from various scholars.FindingsThe evaluation showed that the public hearings partially met the criteria of information provision and representativeness. However, there are rooms for improvement on participation in decision-making process, social learning and influence over policy decision-making. Therefore, this study proposes two recommendations. First, more flexible form of public participation is needed to enable discussions among various groups of stakeholders. Second, the organizer should communicate with stakeholders about how their opinions influence the final master plan in order to create sense of belonging among community members.Originality/valueThis research developed the evaluation framework for public participation in old town conservation master plan in developing country.

A comparative analysis of periodicity in the Arkansas state budget process

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-84
Author(s):  
Kim U. Hoffman ◽  
Catherine C. Reese
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Executive Branch ◽  
Budget Process ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
State Budget ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Revenue Forecasting ◽  
Annual Budget ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Supplemental Appropriations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of changes to the Arkansas budget process brought about when the people of Arkansas voted to move from a biennial to an annual budget period in 2008. The paper describes the legislative changes necessary for annual budget review and explores the impact of annual budget review on revenue forecasting, supplemental appropriations, special sessions, legislative staff workload, executive branch oversight and state spending. This research assesses legislative perceptions of annual budget review across several factors including knowledge of the state budget, ability to check the powers of the governor and overall efficacy of annual budget review. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory research uses interview data from the Legislative Fiscal Director and data from an online survey of Arkansas state legislators. The interview and survey data were supplemented by an analysis of documents produced by legislative staff regarding supplemental appropriations, special sessions and state general revenue. Findings The Legislative Fiscal Director interview indicates that the change in budget period had little impact on revenue forecasting, special sessions and state government spending, with the exception that supplemental appropriations for Big 6 agencies increased in a statistically significant way following the advent of the fiscal session. The legislative survey finds that the change in budget period is viewed positively by Arkansas legislators. Most legislators indicated that they prefer annual budget review to biennial budget review. Research limitations/implications Because of the exploratory approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Originality/value This paper surveys legislators on the efficacy of annual budget review which has seldom been done in previous research.

Bosnia's paralysed institutions add to sense of chaos

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Crisis ◽  
State Level ◽  
The State ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
State Budget ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Level Government ◽  
Political Disputes

Significance Intensified political disputes between the main parties are holding up the state budget for 2020, including funding for local elections in November. They also threaten to weaken the response to the looming socio-economic crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic. Impacts The US entry ban on former senior SDA member Amir Zukic is seen as an attempt to persuade the party to behave more responsibly. The EU is in a contest with China, Russia and Turkey to retain influence in the region. Pre-election positioning may explain the defection of Fahrudin Radoncic’s Union for a Better Future party from the state-level government.

Ecological modernisation and citizen engagement

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 302-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveena Rajkobal
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Environmental Movement ◽  
The State ◽  
Citizen Engagement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Desalination Plant ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Ecological Modernisation

Purpose – Modern environmental governance, especially in developed nations, increasingly embraces ecological modernisation (EM) as a framework for managing environmental resources. EM proposes a political modernisation programme that brings the four institutions the state, private sector, experts and the environmental movement together in addressing challenging environmental issues. The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of the political modernisation programme on citizen engagement. The paper argues that while citizen engagement through the integration of the environmental movement in decision-making processes is promoted, the prominence given to the state, and science and technology results in a number of issues concerning citizen engagement and more deliberative forms of decision making. Design/methodology/approach – The paper inquires into these issues by building up on the prominent literature in the areas of EM, administrative state, technologically oriented decision making and the case study of the Wonthaggi desalination plant. Findings – While citizen engagement through the integration of the environmental movement in decision-making processes is promoted by some EM theorists, other aspects of EM theory give prominence to the state, and science and technology. The paper asserts that citizens’ voices tend to be overwhelmed in governance projects where the main focus is on capitalist values and scientific knowledge and a main role is played by the state and experts. Originality/value – The paper is an original work done based on the reviews of literature conducted in the relevant areas and research on the Wonthaggi desalination plant to address the question of the realisability of citizen engagement in EM-based environmental governance spaces.

Israel’s government will likely limp through crisis

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare System ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Public Trust ◽  
The State ◽  
Trust In Government ◽  
State Budget ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government

Significance Resurgent COVID-19 cases and policy chaos have weakened Netanyahu politically and are undermining public trust in government. Meanwhile, allies of the prime minister have implied that he may seek to trigger fresh elections later this year amid frustrations over impasses within his government. Impacts Despite resurgent case numbers, the healthcare system appears able to cope with the additional burdens. The government will be reluctant to order a second full lockdown, fearing the economic hit and that people may simply ignore the rules. The preoccupation with the pandemic has delayed addressing other issues, most notably the state budget.

Nation-Wide ICT Infrastructure Introduction and its Leverage for Overall Development

2011 ◽  
pp. 172-195
Author(s):  
Predrag Pale ◽  
Jasenka Gojšic
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Computer Network ◽  
National Level ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
The State ◽  
Research Network ◽  
State Budget ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Ict Infrastructure

This paper describes 10 years of efforts in introducing the state-of-the-art information and communication technologies (ICT) and development of ICT infrastructure on the national level. The aim of the project was to build Internet in Croatia and to foster its leverage in the broad range of activities of public interest in the society as a whole. The prime target group was academic and research community, as a vehicle for the overall development in the society. Croatian Academic and Research Network (CARNet) had been started as a project in 1991, and, after five years, it was transformed into a government agency. A broad range of activities had been started, from building and maintaining private nation-wide communication and computer network to information services, user support, education, pilot projects and promotion. The academic community has been treated not only as the main customer, but also as an active partner in developing and providing services. CARNet has been fully funded by the state budget for 10 years, without any participation of the commercial sector, domestic donations or international financial support. Although CARNet is treated as Croatian success story, recognized inside and outside of the country, the question is whether the initial goals have been realistic and achievements sufficient, considering the low penetration of ICT into the Croatian society. Likewise, budget cuts, continuous struggle for political recognition and authority, as well as fights with national telecommunication monopoly, have created an array of questions to be answered at the beginning of the second decade of this highly ambitious endeavor.

Direct Democracy and Fiscal Gridlock: Have Voter Initiatives Paralyzed the California Budget?

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
John G. Matsusaka
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Direct Democracy ◽  
The State ◽  
Budget Process ◽  
State Budget ◽  
Significant Obstacle ◽  
Minimal Constraints ◽  
Do So

Does direct democracy make it impossible to balance public sector budgets? I address this question with evidence from California, where it is widely believed that voter initiatives have paralyzed the state budget process by locking in high spending while simultaneously prohibiting tax increases. A review of all initiatives approved since 1912 shows that no more than 32 percent of appropriations in the 2003-04 California state budget were locked in by initiatives and that initiatives placed only minimal constraints on the legislature's ability to raise revenue. Moreover, it is likely that the legislature would have allocated much of the money to its dedicated purpose even if it had not been required to do so by initiative. Initiatives do not appear to be a significant obstacle to balancing the state budget in California.

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