Constitutional change and inequality in Scotland

C-Tier
Journal: Oxford Review of Economic Policy
Year: 2014
Volume: 30
Issue: 2
Pages: 346-373

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

0.505 = (α=2.02 / 2 authors) × 0.5x C-tier

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

Abstract

What scope does a sub-national economy have to affect the level of inequality? Does a policy menu consistent with the theories of fiscal federalism provide for an ability to affect inequality measures, or does this ability require the powers of a nation state? In this paper we discuss these questions in the context of the debate around the Scottish independence referendum, in which inequality has played a prominent role, and ask whether independence, further devolution, or simply different policies under the current constitutional framework are capable of helping Scotland make the transition to a less unequal income distribution. We provide a series of estimates of the impact of different policy choices upon inequality in Scotland, and discuss inequality reduction in the context of different constitutional options.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:oxford:v:30:y:2014:i:2:p:346-373
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25