scholarly journals Political Economy of Discretionary Transfers: A Dynamic Panel Data analysis of Indian States

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chittaranjan Nayak ◽  
. PriyabrataSatpathy

Intergovernmental transfers are a major instrument to ensure smooth functioning of ‘Fiscal federalism’ in India. But the mechanism of Central transfers in India seems to be confusing and overlapping. Although a formula-based practice has been mandated by the Indian Constitution, there are several breaks in the practice. While predetermined formulas are used for some transfers, there is considerable discretion in allocating other classes of transfers. This paper makes an attempt to focus on the determinants that influence the quantum of discretionary transfer to sub-national governments from a political economy perspective. Taking a panel data set of 28 states for the period 2001 to 2011, and by using Arrellana-Bover (1995)/ Blundell-Bond (1998) system estimation model, the paper observes that the chosen variables do explain disparity in Central fund disbursement under non formulaic discretionary head in a robust way. The study has analysed the results separately for SCS and NSCS and in combine. The findings of the study reveal that the chosen variables have different outcomes for SCS and NSCS. However, when SCS and NSCS states are combined, the variables like fiscal capacity, fiscal performance and coalition status are found to be significant.

2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gülsün Yay ◽  
Hüseyin Taştan ◽  
Asuman Oktayer

This paper examines the impact of globalization and liberalization on wage inequality using the KOF globalization index, the Economic Freedom Index (EFI) of the Fraser Institute and the Theil industrial pay inequality statistic compiled by the University of Texas Inequality Project (UTIP). Both static and dynamic fixedeffects models are estimated using a 5-year panel data set consisting of about 90 developed and developing countries for the 1970-2005 period. Estimation results from the dynamic panel data specification suggest that wage inequality has a significant and slowly changing component. The overall KOF and EFI indexes are found to be statistically insignificant in the full sample, but the results show that economic freedom is associated with more wage inequality, especially in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The estimation results from country groups indicate that more deregulation is associated with more earnings inequality in OECD countries. The results from the models with subcomponents of the EFI imply that access to sound money has a negative effect on wage inequality. A more stable price system in an economy implies a more equal wage distribution in emerging markets (EM), non-OECD countries, and European Union (EU).


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chittaranjan Nayak ◽  
Priyabrata Satpathy

Purpose Despite existence of a constitutional demarcation of functions and finances between the centre and the states, it is alleged that the centre-state funds transfer systems in India have a political bargaining aspect that goes beyond the normative considerations. This paper makes an attempt to investigate if the political system allows to evolve a simple, equitable, objective and rule-based system of transfers. The aim of this paper is to explore the political economic determinants of discretionary fiscal transfers in India. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on a panel data set of 28 Indian states for the period 2001–2014. After diagnostic checking for fixed effects/random effects, the authors prefer to use fixed effects regression with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors and Arellano–Bover/Blundel and Bond system estimation model that uses moment conditions in which lagged first differences of the dependent variable are instruments for the level equation. Findings The findings of this study reveal that fiscal performance, economic capacity and political alliance are significant but some other political determinants such as bargaining power and election years are not significant in influencing discretionary transfers. Originality/value Considering the limited availability of literature on federal finance, the present paper is an addition to the existing research, especially on a crucial issue concerning extra-constitutional fiscal transfers in India. Analysing a balanced panel comprising all the Indian states and examining the role of various political-economic determinants makes this paper topical.


Author(s):  
Andrea M. Leiter ◽  
Engelbert Theurl

AbstractIn this paper we examine determinants of prepaid modes of health care financing in a worldwide cross-country perspective. We use three different indicators to capture the role of prepaid modes in health care financing: (i) the share of total prepaid financing as percent of total current health expenditures, (ii) the share of voluntary prepaid financing as percent of total prepaid financing, and (iii) the share of compulsory health insurance as percent of total compulsory prepaid financing. In the econometric analysis, we refer to a panel data set comprising 154 countries and covering the time period 2000–2015. We apply a static as well as a dynamic panel data model. We find that the current structure of prepaid financing is significantly determined by its different forms in the past. The significant influence of GDP per capita, governmental revenues, the agricultural value added, development assistance for health, degree of urbanization and regulatory quality varies depending on the financing structure we look at. The share of the elderly and the education level are only of minor importance for explaining the variation in a country’s share of prepaid health care financing. The importance of the mentioned variables as determinants for prepaid health care financing also varies depending on the countries’ socio-economic development. From our analysis we conclude that more detailed information on indicators which reflect the distribution of individual characteristics (such as income, family size and structure and health risks) within a country’s population would be needed to gain deeper insight into the decisive determinants for prepaid health care financing.


Economies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Osama Alhendi ◽  
József Tóth ◽  
Péter Lengyel ◽  
Péter Balogh

This study aims to examine the impact of social tolerance of cultural diversity, and the ability to speak widely spoken languages, on economic performance. Based on the literature, the evidence is still controversial and unclear. Therefore, the study used panel data relating to (99) non-English speaking economies during the time period between 2009 and 2017. Following the augmented Solow model approach, the related equation was expanded, in this study, to include (besides human capital) social tolerance, the English language (as a lingua franca) and the level of openness. The model was estimated using the two-step system GMM approach. The results show that social tolerance of diversity and English language competence have a positive, but insignificant impact on the economy. Regarding policy implications, government and decision-makers can avoid the costs deriving from cultural diversity by adopting democratic and effective institutions that aim to achieve cultural justice and recognition, which, in turn, enhance the level of tolerance, innovation and productivity in the economy. Moreover, to ease intercultural communication within heterogeneous communities, it is necessary to invest in enhancing the quality of second language education which is necessary to make society more tolerant and the country more open to the global economy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 259
Author(s):  
Walid Chatti ◽  
Haitham Khoj

This study aims to examine the causal linkages relating service exports to internet penetration for 116 countries over the period 2000-2017. Taking into account a wide panel of countries, we apply 2-Step GMM methodology for dynamic panel data models. The results show a bi-directional causality relating service exports to internet adoption for developed countries. For the global panel and developing countries, we find those same results attest a positive relationship between the internet adoption and service exports, but in the opposite way; the impact is very low and not significant. Regarding developing countries, despite the fact that internet positively affects service exports, it is considered less efficient than in developed countries.


Author(s):  
Ahmad Fajar Novianto ◽  
Waris Marsisno

The problem of labor productivity in Indonesia is a regional and sectoral inequality. To know the time required to remove inequality, can be measured by the level of convergence of labor productivity. The research would analyze the rate of sectoral labor productivity convergence among provinces in Indonesia spatially and identify the determinant factors of labor productivity. The analytical methods used is spatial dinamic panel data with Spatially Corrected Blundell-Bond (SCBB) estimation method. The results show that there are spatially sectoral labor productivity convergence. Primary sector takes the longest half-life convergence of 7-8 years, while secondary takes 1-2 years and tertiary sector takes 3-4 years. Furthermore, the Gross Capital Fixed Formation, Mean Years of Schooling, and real wage sectoral are significantly have positive affect to the labor productivity while Life Expectancy is significantly have negative affect to labor productivity.Keywords : convergence, spatial analysis, labor productivity


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