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Who adjusts and when? On the political economy of reforms

Author

Listed:
  • Alberto Alesina
  • Silvia Ardagna
  • Francesco Trebbi
Abstract
Why do countries delay stabilizations of large and increasing budget deficits and inflation? And what explains the timing of reforms? We use the war of attrition model as a guidance for our empirical study on a vast sample of countries. We find that stabilizations are more likely to occur when time of crisis occur, at the beginning of term of office of a new government, in countries with "strong" governments, (i. e. presidential systems and unified governments with a large majority of the party in office), and when the executive faces less constraints. The role of external inducements like IMF programs has at best a weak effect, but problem of reverse causality are possible.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Alesina & Silvia Ardagna & Francesco Trebbi, 2006. "Who adjusts and when? On the political economy of reforms," Harvard Institute of Economic Research Working Papers 2108, Harvard - Institute of Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:fth:harver:2108
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    JEL classification:

    • G0 - Financial Economics - - General
    • H0 - Public Economics - - General

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