Laws for Fiscal Responsibility for Subnational Discipline : International Experience

Fiscal responsibility laws are institutions with which multiple governments in the same economy -- national and subnational --can commit to help avoid irresponsible fiscal behavior that could have short-term advantages to one of them but that would...

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Main Authors: Liu, Lili, Webb, Steven B.
Format: Policy Research Working Paper
Language:English
Published: 2012
Subjects:
TAX
Online Access:http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20110311132517
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3354
id okr-10986-3354
recordtype oai_dc
repository_type Digital Repository
institution_category Foreign Institution
institution Digital Repositories
building World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
collection World Bank
language English
topic ACCESS TO INFORMATION
ACCOUNTABILITY
ACCOUNTING
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
ACCRUAL ACCOUNTING
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL
AGENCY PROBLEMS
AMORTIZATION
ARREARS
BAILOUT
BAILOUTS
BANK BAILOUTS
BANK FINANCING
BANK LOANS
BANKING REGULATIONS
BINDING CONSTRAINT
BLOCK GRANTS
BONDS
BORROWER
BORROWING COSTS
BUDGET BALANCE
BUDGET CONSTRAINT
BUDGET CONSTRAINTS
BUDGET DEFICIT
BUDGET DEFICITS
BUDGET PROCESS
BUDGETING
BUSINESS CYCLE
CAPITAL GROWTH
CAPITAL MARKETS
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
CENTRAL BANK
CENTRAL BANKS
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
COLLATERAL
CONSOLIDATION
CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
CONVERTIBILITY PLAN
COORDINATION FAILURES
COUNTRY COMPARISONS
CREDIBILITY
CREDIT CONTRACT
CREDIT MARKET
CREDIT MARKETS
CREDIT RATING
CREDIT RATINGS
CREDIT SYSTEM
CREDITOR
CREDITWORTHINESS
CURRENT EXPENDITURES
DEBT
DEBT BURDEN
DEBT CRISES
DEBT DATA
DEBT FINANCING
DEBT MANAGEMENT
DEBT MARKET
DEBT OBLIGATIONS
DEBT OUTSTANDING
DEBT PAYMENTS
DEBT RATIO
DEBT REDUCTION
DEBT RELIEF
DEBT RESTRUCTURING
DEBT RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENT
DEBT RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENTS
DEBT SERVICE
DEBT STOCK
DEBTOR
DEBTS
DECONCENTRATION
DEFICITS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRY
DEVOLUTION
DOMESTIC BORROWING
DOMESTIC CREDIT
ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS
ENFORCEMENT POWER
EXCHANGE RATE
EXPENDITURE
EXPENDITURES
FEDERAL COUNTRIES
FEDERAL DISTRICT
FEDERALISM
FINANCES
FINANCIAL CRISIS
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
FINANCIAL MARKET
FINANCIAL MARKETS
FINANCIAL RISKS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL SYSTEM
FISCAL ADJUSTMENT
FISCAL AUTONOMY
FISCAL CONSTRAINTS
FISCAL CRISIS
FISCAL DECENTRALIZATION
FISCAL DEFICIT
FISCAL DEFICITS
FISCAL DISCIPLINE
FISCAL GAPS
FISCAL INSTITUTIONS
FISCAL LEGISLATION
FISCAL POLICIES
FISCAL POLICY
FISCAL REFORM
FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY
FLOATING DEBT
FOREIGN CURRENCY
GOVERNMENT BOND
GOVERNMENT BOND MARKET
GOVERNMENT BORROWERS
GOVERNMENT BORROWING
GOVERNMENT DEBT
GOVERNMENT FINANCE
GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
GOVERNORS
HARD BUDGET CONSTRAINTS
HOLDING
INDEBTEDNESS
INFLATION
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
INSTRUMENT
INTEREST COST
INTEREST RATES
INTERNATIONAL BANK
INTERNATIONAL BORROWING
INTERNATIONAL CREDIT
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CRISIS
INTERNATIONAL INTEREST
INTERNATIONAL RATING AGENCIES
INVESTMENT SPENDING
ISSUANCE
LAWS
LEGAL CONSTRAINTS
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
LEGAL FRAMEWORKS
LEGISLATION
LENDER
LENDERS
LENDING DECISIONS
LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT
LOAN
LOAN GUARANTEES
LOCAL CURRENCY
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
MACROECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT
MACROECONOMIC CRISIS
MACROECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
MACROECONOMIC INSTABILITY
MACROECONOMIC STABILITY
MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES
MARKET DISCIPLINE
MARKET PRICING
MATURITY
MAYORS
MONETARY POLICIES
MONETARY POLICY
MORAL HAZARD
MORAL HAZARDS
MUNICIPAL FINANCE
MUNICIPALITIES
NATIONAL DEBT
NATIONAL SECURITY
NATIONAL TREASURY
NET ASSETS
NET DEBT
OPERATING EXPENSES
OPERATING REVENUE
OPERATING SURPLUS
PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS
PENALTIES
PENSIONS
POLITICAL AUTONOMY
PRINCIPAL-AGENT PROBLEM
PRINCIPAL-AGENT PROBLEMS
PRIVATE CREDITORS
PRIVATE INVESTMENTS
PROVINCES
PROVINCIAL DEBTS
PROVINCIAL FISCAL
PUBLIC BANKS
PUBLIC DEBT
PUBLIC FINANCE
PUBLIC FINANCE LAW
PUBLIC FINANCES
PUBLIC SECTOR DEFICIT
PUBLIC SERVICES
PUBLIC SPENDING
REDEMPTION
RENEGOTIATION
RESERVE
RESERVE BANK
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
RETIREMENT
RETURN
REVENUE BASE
REVENUE SHARING
RISK PREMIUMS
SAVINGS
SOLVENCY
SOVEREIGN DEBT
SUB-NATIONAL BORROWERS
SUBNATIONAL
SUBNATIONAL DEBT
SUBNATIONAL DEFICITS
SUBNATIONAL FINANCE
SUBNATIONAL FINANCES
SUBNATIONAL GOVERNMENTS
SUPERVISION OF BANKS
SUPPLY OF CREDIT
TAX
TAX BASES
TAX POLICY
TAXATION
TRANSPARENCY
UNFUNDED MANDATES
spellingShingle ACCESS TO INFORMATION
ACCOUNTABILITY
ACCOUNTING
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
ACCRUAL ACCOUNTING
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL
AGENCY PROBLEMS
AMORTIZATION
ARREARS
BAILOUT
BAILOUTS
BANK BAILOUTS
BANK FINANCING
BANK LOANS
BANKING REGULATIONS
BINDING CONSTRAINT
BLOCK GRANTS
BONDS
BORROWER
BORROWING COSTS
BUDGET BALANCE
BUDGET CONSTRAINT
BUDGET CONSTRAINTS
BUDGET DEFICIT
BUDGET DEFICITS
BUDGET PROCESS
BUDGETING
BUSINESS CYCLE
CAPITAL GROWTH
CAPITAL MARKETS
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
CENTRAL BANK
CENTRAL BANKS
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
COLLATERAL
CONSOLIDATION
CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
CONVERTIBILITY PLAN
COORDINATION FAILURES
COUNTRY COMPARISONS
CREDIBILITY
CREDIT CONTRACT
CREDIT MARKET
CREDIT MARKETS
CREDIT RATING
CREDIT RATINGS
CREDIT SYSTEM
CREDITOR
CREDITWORTHINESS
CURRENT EXPENDITURES
DEBT
DEBT BURDEN
DEBT CRISES
DEBT DATA
DEBT FINANCING
DEBT MANAGEMENT
DEBT MARKET
DEBT OBLIGATIONS
DEBT OUTSTANDING
DEBT PAYMENTS
DEBT RATIO
DEBT REDUCTION
DEBT RELIEF
DEBT RESTRUCTURING
DEBT RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENT
DEBT RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENTS
DEBT SERVICE
DEBT STOCK
DEBTOR
DEBTS
DECONCENTRATION
DEFICITS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRY
DEVOLUTION
DOMESTIC BORROWING
DOMESTIC CREDIT
ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS
ENFORCEMENT POWER
EXCHANGE RATE
EXPENDITURE
EXPENDITURES
FEDERAL COUNTRIES
FEDERAL DISTRICT
FEDERALISM
FINANCES
FINANCIAL CRISIS
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
FINANCIAL MARKET
FINANCIAL MARKETS
FINANCIAL RISKS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL SYSTEM
FISCAL ADJUSTMENT
FISCAL AUTONOMY
FISCAL CONSTRAINTS
FISCAL CRISIS
FISCAL DECENTRALIZATION
FISCAL DEFICIT
FISCAL DEFICITS
FISCAL DISCIPLINE
FISCAL GAPS
FISCAL INSTITUTIONS
FISCAL LEGISLATION
FISCAL POLICIES
FISCAL POLICY
FISCAL REFORM
FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY
FLOATING DEBT
FOREIGN CURRENCY
GOVERNMENT BOND
GOVERNMENT BOND MARKET
GOVERNMENT BORROWERS
GOVERNMENT BORROWING
GOVERNMENT DEBT
GOVERNMENT FINANCE
GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
GOVERNORS
HARD BUDGET CONSTRAINTS
HOLDING
INDEBTEDNESS
INFLATION
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
INSTRUMENT
INTEREST COST
INTEREST RATES
INTERNATIONAL BANK
INTERNATIONAL BORROWING
INTERNATIONAL CREDIT
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CRISIS
INTERNATIONAL INTEREST
INTERNATIONAL RATING AGENCIES
INVESTMENT SPENDING
ISSUANCE
LAWS
LEGAL CONSTRAINTS
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
LEGAL FRAMEWORKS
LEGISLATION
LENDER
LENDERS
LENDING DECISIONS
LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT
LOAN
LOAN GUARANTEES
LOCAL CURRENCY
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
MACROECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT
MACROECONOMIC CRISIS
MACROECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
MACROECONOMIC INSTABILITY
MACROECONOMIC STABILITY
MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES
MARKET DISCIPLINE
MARKET PRICING
MATURITY
MAYORS
MONETARY POLICIES
MONETARY POLICY
MORAL HAZARD
MORAL HAZARDS
MUNICIPAL FINANCE
MUNICIPALITIES
NATIONAL DEBT
NATIONAL SECURITY
NATIONAL TREASURY
NET ASSETS
NET DEBT
OPERATING EXPENSES
OPERATING REVENUE
OPERATING SURPLUS
PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS
PENALTIES
PENSIONS
POLITICAL AUTONOMY
PRINCIPAL-AGENT PROBLEM
PRINCIPAL-AGENT PROBLEMS
PRIVATE CREDITORS
PRIVATE INVESTMENTS
PROVINCES
PROVINCIAL DEBTS
PROVINCIAL FISCAL
PUBLIC BANKS
PUBLIC DEBT
PUBLIC FINANCE
PUBLIC FINANCE LAW
PUBLIC FINANCES
PUBLIC SECTOR DEFICIT
PUBLIC SERVICES
PUBLIC SPENDING
REDEMPTION
RENEGOTIATION
RESERVE
RESERVE BANK
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
RETIREMENT
RETURN
REVENUE BASE
REVENUE SHARING
RISK PREMIUMS
SAVINGS
SOLVENCY
SOVEREIGN DEBT
SUB-NATIONAL BORROWERS
SUBNATIONAL
SUBNATIONAL DEBT
SUBNATIONAL DEFICITS
SUBNATIONAL FINANCE
SUBNATIONAL FINANCES
SUBNATIONAL GOVERNMENTS
SUPERVISION OF BANKS
SUPPLY OF CREDIT
TAX
TAX BASES
TAX POLICY
TAXATION
TRANSPARENCY
UNFUNDED MANDATES
Liu, Lili
Webb, Steven B.
Laws for Fiscal Responsibility for Subnational Discipline : International Experience
geographic_facet India
Argentina
Peru
Australia
Colombia
Brazil
relation Policy Research working paper ; no. WPS 5587
description Fiscal responsibility laws are institutions with which multiple governments in the same economy -- national and subnational --can commit to help avoid irresponsible fiscal behavior that could have short-term advantages to one of them but that would be collectively damaging. Coordination failures with subnational governments in the 1990s contributed to macroeconomic instability and led several countries to adopt fiscal responsibility laws as part of the remedy. The paper analyzes the characteristics and effects of fiscal responsibility laws in seven countries -- Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, India, and Peru. Fiscal responsibility laws are designed to address the short time horizons of policymakers, free riders among government units, and principal agent problems between the national and subnational governments. The paper describes how the laws differ in the specificity of quantitative targets, the strength of sanctions, the methods for increasing transparency, and the level of government passing the law. Evidence shows that fiscal responsibility laws can help coordinate and sustain commitments to fiscal prudence, but they are not a substitute for commitment and should not be viewed as ends in themselves. They can make a positive contribution by adding to the collection of other measures to shore up a coalition of states with the central government in support of fiscal prudence. Policymakers contemplating fiscal responsibility laws may benefit from the systematic review of international practice. One common trait of successful fiscal responsibility laws for subnational governments is the commitment of the central government to its own fiscal prudence, which is usually reinforced by the application of the law at the national as well as the subnational level.
format Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper
author Liu, Lili
Webb, Steven B.
author_facet Liu, Lili
Webb, Steven B.
author_sort Liu, Lili
title Laws for Fiscal Responsibility for Subnational Discipline : International Experience
title_short Laws for Fiscal Responsibility for Subnational Discipline : International Experience
title_full Laws for Fiscal Responsibility for Subnational Discipline : International Experience
title_fullStr Laws for Fiscal Responsibility for Subnational Discipline : International Experience
title_full_unstemmed Laws for Fiscal Responsibility for Subnational Discipline : International Experience
title_sort laws for fiscal responsibility for subnational discipline : international experience
publishDate 2012
url http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20110311132517
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3354
_version_ 1764386846430724096
spelling okr-10986-33542021-04-23T14:02:09Z Laws for Fiscal Responsibility for Subnational Discipline : International Experience Liu, Lili Webb, Steven B. ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACCOUNTABILITY ACCOUNTING ACCOUNTING POLICIES ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ACCRUAL ACCOUNTING ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL AGENCY PROBLEMS AMORTIZATION ARREARS BAILOUT BAILOUTS BANK BAILOUTS BANK FINANCING BANK LOANS BANKING REGULATIONS BINDING CONSTRAINT BLOCK GRANTS BONDS BORROWER BORROWING COSTS BUDGET BALANCE BUDGET CONSTRAINT BUDGET CONSTRAINTS BUDGET DEFICIT BUDGET DEFICITS BUDGET PROCESS BUDGETING BUSINESS CYCLE CAPITAL GROWTH CAPITAL MARKETS CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS CENTRAL BANK CENTRAL BANKS CENTRAL GOVERNMENT COLLATERAL CONSOLIDATION CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE CONTINGENT LIABILITIES CONVERTIBILITY PLAN COORDINATION FAILURES COUNTRY COMPARISONS CREDIBILITY CREDIT CONTRACT CREDIT MARKET CREDIT MARKETS CREDIT RATING CREDIT RATINGS CREDIT SYSTEM CREDITOR CREDITWORTHINESS CURRENT EXPENDITURES DEBT DEBT BURDEN DEBT CRISES DEBT DATA DEBT FINANCING DEBT MANAGEMENT DEBT MARKET DEBT OBLIGATIONS DEBT OUTSTANDING DEBT PAYMENTS DEBT RATIO DEBT REDUCTION DEBT RELIEF DEBT RESTRUCTURING DEBT RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENT DEBT RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENTS DEBT SERVICE DEBT STOCK DEBTOR DEBTS DECONCENTRATION DEFICITS DEVELOPING COUNTRIES DEVELOPING COUNTRY DEVOLUTION DOMESTIC BORROWING DOMESTIC CREDIT ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS ENFORCEMENT POWER EXCHANGE RATE EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURES FEDERAL COUNTRIES FEDERAL DISTRICT FEDERALISM FINANCES FINANCIAL CRISIS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FINANCIAL MARKET FINANCIAL MARKETS FINANCIAL RISKS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL SYSTEM FISCAL ADJUSTMENT FISCAL AUTONOMY FISCAL CONSTRAINTS FISCAL CRISIS FISCAL DECENTRALIZATION FISCAL DEFICIT FISCAL DEFICITS FISCAL DISCIPLINE FISCAL GAPS FISCAL INSTITUTIONS FISCAL LEGISLATION FISCAL POLICIES FISCAL POLICY FISCAL REFORM FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY FLOATING DEBT FOREIGN CURRENCY GOVERNMENT BOND GOVERNMENT BOND MARKET GOVERNMENT BORROWERS GOVERNMENT BORROWING GOVERNMENT DEBT GOVERNMENT FINANCE GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION GOVERNORS HARD BUDGET CONSTRAINTS HOLDING INDEBTEDNESS INFLATION INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT INSTRUMENT INTEREST COST INTEREST RATES INTERNATIONAL BANK INTERNATIONAL BORROWING INTERNATIONAL CREDIT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CRISIS INTERNATIONAL INTEREST INTERNATIONAL RATING AGENCIES INVESTMENT SPENDING ISSUANCE LAWS LEGAL CONSTRAINTS LEGAL FRAMEWORK LEGAL FRAMEWORKS LEGISLATION LENDER LENDERS LENDING DECISIONS LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT LOAN LOAN GUARANTEES LOCAL CURRENCY LOCAL GOVERNMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MACROECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT MACROECONOMIC CRISIS MACROECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT MACROECONOMIC INSTABILITY MACROECONOMIC STABILITY MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES MARKET DISCIPLINE MARKET PRICING MATURITY MAYORS MONETARY POLICIES MONETARY POLICY MORAL HAZARD MORAL HAZARDS MUNICIPAL FINANCE MUNICIPALITIES NATIONAL DEBT NATIONAL SECURITY NATIONAL TREASURY NET ASSETS NET DEBT OPERATING EXPENSES OPERATING REVENUE OPERATING SURPLUS PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS PENALTIES PENSIONS POLITICAL AUTONOMY PRINCIPAL-AGENT PROBLEM PRINCIPAL-AGENT PROBLEMS PRIVATE CREDITORS PRIVATE INVESTMENTS PROVINCES PROVINCIAL DEBTS PROVINCIAL FISCAL PUBLIC BANKS PUBLIC DEBT PUBLIC FINANCE PUBLIC FINANCE LAW PUBLIC FINANCES PUBLIC SECTOR DEFICIT PUBLIC SERVICES PUBLIC SPENDING REDEMPTION RENEGOTIATION RESERVE RESERVE BANK RESERVE BANK OF INDIA RETIREMENT RETURN REVENUE BASE REVENUE SHARING RISK PREMIUMS SAVINGS SOLVENCY SOVEREIGN DEBT SUB-NATIONAL BORROWERS SUBNATIONAL SUBNATIONAL DEBT SUBNATIONAL DEFICITS SUBNATIONAL FINANCE SUBNATIONAL FINANCES SUBNATIONAL GOVERNMENTS SUPERVISION OF BANKS SUPPLY OF CREDIT TAX TAX BASES TAX POLICY TAXATION TRANSPARENCY UNFUNDED MANDATES Fiscal responsibility laws are institutions with which multiple governments in the same economy -- national and subnational --can commit to help avoid irresponsible fiscal behavior that could have short-term advantages to one of them but that would be collectively damaging. Coordination failures with subnational governments in the 1990s contributed to macroeconomic instability and led several countries to adopt fiscal responsibility laws as part of the remedy. The paper analyzes the characteristics and effects of fiscal responsibility laws in seven countries -- Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, India, and Peru. Fiscal responsibility laws are designed to address the short time horizons of policymakers, free riders among government units, and principal agent problems between the national and subnational governments. The paper describes how the laws differ in the specificity of quantitative targets, the strength of sanctions, the methods for increasing transparency, and the level of government passing the law. Evidence shows that fiscal responsibility laws can help coordinate and sustain commitments to fiscal prudence, but they are not a substitute for commitment and should not be viewed as ends in themselves. They can make a positive contribution by adding to the collection of other measures to shore up a coalition of states with the central government in support of fiscal prudence. Policymakers contemplating fiscal responsibility laws may benefit from the systematic review of international practice. One common trait of successful fiscal responsibility laws for subnational governments is the commitment of the central government to its own fiscal prudence, which is usually reinforced by the application of the law at the national as well as the subnational level. 2012-03-19T18:00:54Z 2012-03-19T18:00:54Z 2011-03-01 http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20110311132517 http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3354 English Policy Research working paper ; no. WPS 5587 CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/ World Bank Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper India Argentina Peru Australia Colombia Brazil