Citation

Discussion Paper Details

Please find the details for DP3797 in an easy to copy and paste format below:

Full Details   |   Bibliographic Reference

Full Details

Title: Public Finance and the Optimal Speed of Transition

Author(s): Micael Castanheira

Publication Date: February 2003

Keyword(s): subsidies and transition

Programme Area(s): Transition Economics

Abstract: We develop a general equilibrium model that jointly considers the influence of capital accumulation constraints and of labour market frictions on the process of transition. We endogenize the economic and budgetary costs of different government policies and show that, early in transition, governments ought to subsidize state firms. Provided that inter-temporal commitment is feasible, this policy limits the initial output fall, which relaxes capital accumulation constraints, accelerates transition, and increases welfare. Moreover, by resorting to indirect ? instead of direct ? taxes, governments can bring the path of transition closer to the first best. Yet, political pressures may induce a policy of excessive subsidization.

For full details and related downloads, please visit: https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=3797

Bibliographic Reference

Castanheira, M. 2003. 'Public Finance and the Optimal Speed of Transition'. London, Centre for Economic Policy Research. https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=3797