Data on (economic) institutions are often available only as observations on ordinal, inherently incomparable properties, which are then typically aggregated to a composite index in the empirical social science literature. From a methodological perspective, the present paper advocates the application of partially ordered set (POSET) theory as an alternative approach. Its main virtue is that it takes the ordinal nature of the data seriously and dispenses with the unavoidably subjective assignment of weights to incomparable properties, maintains a high standard of objectivity, and can be applied in various fields of economics. As an application, the POSET approach is then used to calculate new indices on the stringency of fiscal rules for 81 countries over the period 1985 to 2012 based on recent data by the IMF (2012). The derived measures of fiscal rules are used to test their significance for public finances in a fiscal reaction function and compare the POSET with the composite index approach. (authors' abstract)

Esta dissertação tem como propósito central discutir e analisar as propostas, os fundamentos e a lógica da política econômica do governo federal brasileiro no pós-crise de 2008, com especial predileção para a política fiscal. A fim de permitir uma aproximação apropriada de tal tema, realizou-se uma discussão teórica acerca das finanças públicas e da política fiscal, buscando compreender a importância destas para o sistema econômico. Esta discussão trata de avaliar mais de um modelo teórico, de modo a buscar aquele que melhor atenda aos objetivos da análise proposta. Sendo assim, o capítulo 1 trata fundamentalmente das finanças públicas e de sua relevância para o sistema econômico e sua reprodução, bem como busca compreender os determinantes de sua evolução. O capítulo 2, se volta para a ação estatal propriamente dita, representada pela política fiscal. Dividido em duas partes centrais, o capítulo analisa, de um lado, as teorias acerca dos objetivos que devem ser buscados pela política fiscal, e de outro dos meios que o Estado dispõe para pôr em prática seu projeto. Por último, no capítulo 3, é analisada a evolução do padrão de atuação do Estado brasileiro a partir da mutação de suas estruturas e de sua política fiscal. Esta análise tem início com as respostas do Estado à crise da dívida na década de 1980, por representar uma importante mudança de rumos na sua atuação, e segue até os dias atuais, buscando enfatizar as principais políticas tomadas pelos governos no referido período. Dá-se especial destaque para a mudança ocorrida na condução da política fiscal com a eclosão crise financeira de 2008, discutindo até que ponto esta mudança se refere de fato à busca de um novo paradigma para a atuação do Estado. / This work has as main goal discuss and analyze the proposals, the foundations and the logic of the economic policy of the Brazilian federal government in 2008 after the crisis, with special preference for it's fiscal policy. In order to allow proper approach this theme, a theoretical discussion about public finance and fiscal policy was made, seeking to understand the importance of these to the economic system. This discussion assess more than a theoretical model in order to get the one that best meets the proposed analysis goals. Therefore, Chapter 1 is fundamentally about public finances and its relevance to the economic system and its reproduction, and seeks to understand the determinants of its evolution. Chapter 2, is engaged in the state action, represented by the fiscal policy. Divided into two central parts, the chapter analyzes on the one hand, theories about the objectives to be sought by fiscal policy, and on the other the means that the state has to implement it's project. Finally, Chapter 3 analyzes the evolution of the patterns of the Brazilian State performance from the mutation of its structures and its fiscal policy. This analysis begins with the State's responses to the debt crisis in the 1980s, as it represents a major change of direction in its activities, continue until the present day, seeking to emphasize the main policies taken by governments in that period. It gives special emphasis to the shift in fiscal policy with the outbreak of the 2008 financial crisis, discussing to what extent this change refers in fact to the search for a new paradigm for state action.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:34:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WilliamGS.pdf: 1108218 bytes, checksum: 6b7785740714d1c8c6344aa3f011e0dc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-11-30 / The object of the present dissertation is to analyze the behavior of the public finances of the districts of the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), taking as reference a period fundamentally previous to the implementation of the Fiscal Responsibility Law LRF, comparatively to the first years, immediately after the advent of the mentioned institutional milestone. The central hypothesis of this study proposes that, from the institutions' viewpoint, the LRF sets securely consistent rules, in the orchestration of the behavior of the municipal revenues and expenses. These regulations, on the other hand, might be effective and reach the districts of the RN indiscriminately, apart from stabilizing tendencies and which are sustainable in the long run. In spite of this, the indicators calculated reveal that the districts researched show, during all the period under analysis, a diminished capacity of self-tax collection , and consequently, a high participation of the intergovernmental transfers in the composition of the current revenues. This behavior indicates that the goal of strengthening the municipal public finances, forecast in the LRF, tends to be only partially accomplished, due to the fiscal decentralism. The analysis and interpretation of the data are conducted from the literature of institutionalist orientation and in descriptive statistical tools applied to the municipal strata of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Further on, it's used the econometrical method Pooled OLS, which demands the elimination of the municipal strata in order to allow the use of the model, in the attempt to strengthen and/or ratify the results of the research. Finally, the evidence reached in the dissertation show that the LRF brings better conditions to the potiguar municipal public finances, predominantly to the economically stronger districts; whereas the less dynamic municipal entities show rather divergent evidence, that is, their economies seem to be more oriented to a more pronounced state participation; therefore, it generates in the state of RN a certain antithesis in the results reached in the dissertation / O objetivo da presente disserta??o ? analisar o comportamento das finan?as p?blicas dos munic?pios do Rio Grande do Norte (RN), tomando como refer?ncia um per?odo fundamentalmente anterior ? implementa??o da Lei de Responsabilidade Fiscal LRF, comparativamente aos primeiros anos, imediatamente posteriores ao advento do referido marco institucional. A hip?tese central deste estudo prop?e que, do ponto de vista das institui??es, a LRF estabelece regras seguramente consistentes, na orquestra??o do comportamento das receitas e despesas municipais. Essas regulamenta??es, por sua vez, podem vir a ser efetivas e alcan?arem os munic?pios do RN indiscriminadamente; al?m de tend?ncias estabilizadoras e que s?o sustent?veis no longo prazo. Apesar disso, os indicadores calculados revelam que os munic?pios pesquisados apresentam, durante todo o per?odo analisado, uma reduzida capacidade de arrecada??o pr?pria e, conseq?entemente, uma elevada participa??o das transfer?ncias intergovernamentais na composi??o das receitas correntes. Esse comportamento indica que o objetivo de fortalecimento das finan?as p?blicas municipais, previsto na LRF, tende a ser apenas parcialmente alcan?ado, em virtude do descentralismo fiscal. A an?lise e interpreta??o dos dados s?o feitas a partir da literatura de orienta??o institucionalista e em instrumentais estat?sticos descritivos aplicados aos estratos municipais do Rio Grande do Norte. Posteriormente, faz-se uso do m?todo econom?trico Pooled OLS, o que demanda a elimina??o dos estratos municipais para permitir a utiliza??o do modelo, na tentativa de robustecer e/ ou ratificar os resultados da pesquisa. Finalmente, as evid?ncias alcan?adas na disserta??o mostram que a LRF traz melhores condi??es ?s finan?as p?blicas municipais potiguares, al?m da garantia de tend?ncias estabilizadoras e sustent?veis no longo prazo, predominantemente aos munic?pios economicamente mais fortes; j? as entidades municipais menos din?micas apresentam evid?ncias um pouco divergentes, isto ?, suas economias parecem ser mais orientadas a uma participa??o estatal mais pronunciada; assim sendo, gera no estado do RN certa ant?tese nos resultados alcan?ados na disserta??o

Esta dissertação tem como propósito central discutir e analisar as propostas, os fundamentos e a lógica da política econômica do governo federal brasileiro no pós-crise de 2008, com especial predileção para a política fiscal. A fim de permitir uma aproximação apropriada de tal tema, realizou-se uma discussão teórica acerca das finanças públicas e da política fiscal, buscando compreender a importância destas para o sistema econômico. Esta discussão trata de avaliar mais de um modelo teórico, de modo a buscar aquele que melhor atenda aos objetivos da análise proposta. Sendo assim, o capítulo 1 trata fundamentalmente das finanças públicas e de sua relevância para o sistema econômico e sua reprodução, bem como busca compreender os determinantes de sua evolução. O capítulo 2, se volta para a ação estatal propriamente dita, representada pela política fiscal. Dividido em duas partes centrais, o capítulo analisa, de um lado, as teorias acerca dos objetivos que devem ser buscados pela política fiscal, e de outro dos meios que o Estado dispõe para pôr em prática seu projeto. Por último, no capítulo 3, é analisada a evolução do padrão de atuação do Estado brasileiro a partir da mutação de suas estruturas e de sua política fiscal. Esta análise tem início com as respostas do Estado à crise da dívida na década de 1980, por representar uma importante mudança de rumos na sua atuação, e segue até os dias atuais, buscando enfatizar as principais políticas tomadas pelos governos no referido período. Dá-se especial destaque para a mudança ocorrida na condução da política fiscal com a eclosão crise financeira de 2008, discutindo até que ponto esta mudança se refere de fato à busca de um novo paradigma para a atuação do Estado. / This work has as main goal discuss and analyze the proposals, the foundations and the logic of the economic policy of the Brazilian federal government in 2008 after the crisis, with special preference for it's fiscal policy. In order to allow proper approach this theme, a theoretical discussion about public finance and fiscal policy was made, seeking to understand the importance of these to the economic system. This discussion assess more than a theoretical model in order to get the one that best meets the proposed analysis goals. Therefore, Chapter 1 is fundamentally about public finances and its relevance to the economic system and its reproduction, and seeks to understand the determinants of its evolution. Chapter 2, is engaged in the state action, represented by the fiscal policy. Divided into two central parts, the chapter analyzes on the one hand, theories about the objectives to be sought by fiscal policy, and on the other the means that the state has to implement it's project. Finally, Chapter 3 analyzes the evolution of the patterns of the Brazilian State performance from the mutation of its structures and its fiscal policy. This analysis begins with the State's responses to the debt crisis in the 1980s, as it represents a major change of direction in its activities, continue until the present day, seeking to emphasize the main policies taken by governments in that period. It gives special emphasis to the shift in fiscal policy with the outbreak of the 2008 financial crisis, discussing to what extent this change refers in fact to the search for a new paradigm for state action.

This paper presents a Keynesian effective demand model that reproduces expansive or contractive effects of an expansionary fiscal policy as a function of the initial conditions of the public finances.In an economy with fiscal slack, when observed primary surplus is above the optimal fiscal surplus level, expansive fiscal policy raises the level of economic activity.However, when there is no fiscal slackness, when the observed surplus is below the optimal surplus, a fiscal expansion may contract the level of economic activity.The outcome has implications for the debate about whether fiscal policy should be countercyclical or not. In the aforementioned scenery the countercyclical policy is appropriate only when there is fiscal slackness, but it is counterproductive, wouldaggravate the recession instead of ameliorating it, whenever at the initial point the observed fiscal surplus is below the optimal surplus level. / En este trabajo se presenta un modelo keynesiano de demanda efectiva que reproduce efectos expansivos o contractivos de una política fiscal expansiva, enfunción al estado inicial de las finanzas públicas.En una economía con holgura fiscal, cuando el superávit primario observado está por encima del superávit fiscal óptimo, la política fiscal expansiva eleva el nivel de actividad económica. Sin embargo, cuando dicha holgura fiscal no existe, cuando el superávit observado está por debajo del superávit óptimo, una expansión fiscal puede contraer el nivel de actividad económica.Este resultado tiene implicancias en la discusión de si la política fiscal debe ser contracíclica. En el escenario descrito, la respuesta contracíclica es apropiadasolo cuando en la situación inicial hay holgura fiscal; pero sería contraproducente, agravaría una recesión, en lugar de atenuarla, si en el punto de partida el superávit fiscal observado se encuentra por debajo del superávit óptimo.

Esta dissertação tem como propósito central discutir e analisar as propostas, os fundamentos e a lógica da política econômica do governo federal brasileiro no pós-crise de 2008, com especial predileção para a política fiscal. A fim de permitir uma aproximação apropriada de tal tema, realizou-se uma discussão teórica acerca das finanças públicas e da política fiscal, buscando compreender a importância destas para o sistema econômico. Esta discussão trata de avaliar mais de um modelo teórico, de modo a buscar aquele que melhor atenda aos objetivos da análise proposta. Sendo assim, o capítulo 1 trata fundamentalmente das finanças públicas e de sua relevância para o sistema econômico e sua reprodução, bem como busca compreender os determinantes de sua evolução. O capítulo 2, se volta para a ação estatal propriamente dita, representada pela política fiscal. Dividido em duas partes centrais, o capítulo analisa, de um lado, as teorias acerca dos objetivos que devem ser buscados pela política fiscal, e de outro dos meios que o Estado dispõe para pôr em prática seu projeto. Por último, no capítulo 3, é analisada a evolução do padrão de atuação do Estado brasileiro a partir da mutação de suas estruturas e de sua política fiscal. Esta análise tem início com as respostas do Estado à crise da dívida na década de 1980, por representar uma importante mudança de rumos na sua atuação, e segue até os dias atuais, buscando enfatizar as principais políticas tomadas pelos governos no referido período. Dá-se especial destaque para a mudança ocorrida na condução da política fiscal com a eclosão crise financeira de 2008, discutindo até que ponto esta mudança se refere de fato à busca de um novo paradigma para a atuação do Estado. / This work has as main goal discuss and analyze the proposals, the foundations and the logic of the economic policy of the Brazilian federal government in 2008 after the crisis, with special preference for it's fiscal policy. In order to allow proper approach this theme, a theoretical discussion about public finance and fiscal policy was made, seeking to understand the importance of these to the economic system. This discussion assess more than a theoretical model in order to get the one that best meets the proposed analysis goals. Therefore, Chapter 1 is fundamentally about public finances and its relevance to the economic system and its reproduction, and seeks to understand the determinants of its evolution. Chapter 2, is engaged in the state action, represented by the fiscal policy. Divided into two central parts, the chapter analyzes on the one hand, theories about the objectives to be sought by fiscal policy, and on the other the means that the state has to implement it's project. Finally, Chapter 3 analyzes the evolution of the patterns of the Brazilian State performance from the mutation of its structures and its fiscal policy. This analysis begins with the State's responses to the debt crisis in the 1980s, as it represents a major change of direction in its activities, continue until the present day, seeking to emphasize the main policies taken by governments in that period. It gives special emphasis to the shift in fiscal policy with the outbreak of the 2008 financial crisis, discussing to what extent this change refers in fact to the search for a new paradigm for state action.

Le XIVe siècle voit le passage de l’Etat domanial à l’Etat fiscal : le royaume de France, confronté à un déficit budgétaire dont la principale cause est la multiplication des conflits militaires, subit de nouvelles formes de prélèvement, qualifiées d’extraordinaires mais en réalité de plus en plus banales. Le Languedoc offre une perspective intéressante dans la mesure où la région n’a été rattachée au domaine royal qu’au siècle précédent. L’étude porte sur la sénéchaussée de Carcassonne, pour laquelle les fonds sont particulièrement riches, notamment sur le plan comptable. On y observe une domination précoce des impôts directs (fouages) dont la gestion est en grande partie laissée à la charge des villes et communautés, principaux interlocuteurs du roi et de ses représentants, notamment dans les assemblées d’Etats. Dans la seconde moitié du siècle, le Languedoc n’échappe pas aux taxations indirectes, qui elles aussi deviennent récurrentes. L’étude montre la stabilité du système fiscal languedocien, mais aussi la complexité croissante de l’appareil administratif gérant le prélèvement, dans un contexte politique et diplomatique pour le moins troublé. La gestion de l’impôt est en quelque sorte « bipolaire » : les fouages obéissent à une tradition régionale, tandis que les taxes indirectes sur les marchandises et les échanges obéissent à des règles théoriquement valables pour tout le royaume. La figure du lieutenant royal en Languedoc, rapidement monopolisée par des princes du sang, permet d’assurer une dialectique subtile entre le centre et la périphérie, au même titre que le système des apanages caractéristique de la dynastie des Valois, en faisant circuler dans le royaume un grand nombre d’officiers dont une partie, néanmoins, est d’origine locale. Ce sont ces « intermédiaires de l’impôt » qui permettent au système de fonctionner. / In the 14th century, the public domain State changes into the tax State : the kingdom of France confronted with a budget deficit mainly caused by the multiplication of military conflicts faces new types of taxation deemed amazing but actually more and more commonplace. The Languedoc region is worth exploring insofar as it was only united with the royal realm in the previous century. The survey focuses on the seneschalsy of Carcassonne whose funds are particularly rich especially in the accounting field. Direct taxation (hearth taxes) early prevails there, the management of which is mostly under the control of towns and communities, the main interlocutors of the king and his representatives in particular in the State assemblies. In the second half of the century, Languedoc is hit as well by indirect taxes which are becoming recurrent too. The survey shows the stability of the Languedoc tax system but also the increasing complexity of the services ruling tax collection in a political and diplomatic context, troubled to say the least. Tax management is 'bipolar', so to speak. Hearth taxes obey a regional tradition whereas indirect taxes on commodities and exchanges obey rules which in theory are at work in all the kingdom. The royal lieutenant figure in Languedoc soon monopolized by princes of royal blood helps ensure a subtle dialogue between the centre and the periphery, as does the apanage system which characterizes the Valois dynasty, by circulating a large number of officers some of whom are, however, locally born. These tax 'go-betweens' do allow the system to work.

La question de la soutenabilité des finances publiques est une question aujourd’hui récurrente pour la plupart des gouvernements dans le monde. Cette gestion a pour corollaire celle du retour à la croissance économique et au plein emploi, autrement dit à une situation très proche du celle qu’ont connue les États pendant les trente années qu’ont suivi la fin de la seconde guerre mondiale. En fait, en toile de fond de la crise que vivent la plupart des pays se trouve une forme de dilution de l’État. Cette dilution prend de l’envergure sous l’influence croisée des difficultés internes et externes dues à la crise des finances publiques et des interdépendances dans lesquelles vivent les nations. Compte tenu de ces vicissitudes et risques grandissants, les États n’ont plus de choix que de se remettre en cause. De ce fait, les rouages de la gouvernance de la gestion publique doivent être revisités, repensés et reconstruits en faisant montre d’une véritable pédagogie de réforme. Pour ce faire, les fondamentaux des finances publiques doivent être indubitablement consolidés et renforcés, car ils constituent la base de toute réforme. De même, la recherche d’une croissance économique inclusive basée sur l’innovation et la compétitivité est de nature à donner à l’État les moyens d’amortir les effets de la perpétuelle effervescence du monde d’aujourd’hui. […] De cette évolution spectaculaire de nouvelles idéologies se sont dégagées et ont influencé inexorablement la configuration de l’économie mondiale tout en exerçant un impact considérable sur le rôle de l’État. / No English summary available.

The aim of this study is to determine the quantitative impact of changes to the pension system in the Czech Republic valid from January 1, 2013 on public budgets. Changes include the introduction of a funded second-pillar pension scheme and the adjustment of pension schemes under the third pillar. The theoretical part describes the basis of social policy in the areas of pensions, and characterize and compare concepts of pension systems. Following practical part analyzes recent developments in the Czech Republic, the essence of changes to the pension system and the interest of the population to use them. The aim of the study is fulfiled by quantifying impact on public budget. Subsequent analysis shows that changes may help to stabilize it in the next decades, however, a departure from the PAYG system is not required. The introduced second pillar can be problematic in ceratin respects for participants. Additional pension savings in the third pillar is a useful supplement to old age security.

This dissertation examines local governments’ efforts to promote economic development in Latin America. The research uses a mixed method to explore how cities make decisions to innovate, develop, and finance economic development programs. First, this study provides a comparative analysis of decentralization policies in Argentina and Mexico as a means to gain a better understanding of the degree of autonomy exercised by local governments. Then, it analyzes three local governments each within the province of Santa Fe, Argentina and the State of Guanajuato, Mexico. The principal hypothesis of this dissertation is that if local governments collect more own-source tax revenue, they are more likely to promote economic development and thus, in turn, promote growth for their region. By examining six cities, three of which are in Santa Fe—Rosario, Santa Fe (capital) and Rafaela—and three in Guanajuato—Leon, Guanajuato (capital) and San Miguel de Allende, this dissertation provides a better understanding of public finances and tax collection efforts of local governments in Latin America. Specific attention is paid to each city’s budget authority to raise new revenue and efforts to promote economic development. The research also includes a large statistical dataset of Mexico’s 2,454 municipalities and a regression analysis that evaluates local tax efforts on economic growth, controlling for population, territorial size, and the professional development. In order to generalize these results, the research tests these discoveries by using statistical data gathered from a survey administered to Latin American municipal officials. The dissertation demonstrates that cities, which experience greater fiscal autonomy measured by the collection of more own-source revenue, are better able to stimulate effective economic development programs, and ultimately, create jobs within their communities. The results are bolstered by a large number of interviews, which were conducted with over 100 finance specialists, municipal presidents, and local authorities. The dissertation also includes an in-depth literature review on fiscal federalism, decentralization, debt financing and local development. It concludes with a discussion of the findings of the study and applications for the practice of public administration.