Inefficiency in Legislative Policymaking: A Dynamic Analysis

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2007
Volume: 97
Issue: 1
Pages: 118-149

Authors (2)

Marco Battaglini (Cornell University) Stephen Coate (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper develops an infinite horizon model of public spending and taxation in which policy decisions are determined by legislative bargaining. The policy space incorporates both productive and distributive public spending and distortionary taxation. The productive spending is investing in a public good that benefits all citizens (e.g., national defense) and the distributive spending is district-specific transfers (e.g., pork-barrel spending). Investment in the public good creates a dynamic linkage across policymaking periods. The analysis explores the dynamics of legislative policy choices, focusing on the efficiency of the steady-state level of taxation and allocation of spending. (JEL D72, E62, H20, H50)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:97:y:2007:i:1:p:118-149
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-24