Reforming Budgetary Language

37 Pages Posted: 29 Sep 2001 Last revised: 24 Sep 2022

See all articles by David F. Bradford

David F. Bradford

Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School; NBER; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

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Date Written: October 2001

Abstract

In the context of several examples of problems associated with present budgetary conventions, I revisit Musgrave's conceptual division of the government's program into Allocation, Distribution and Stabilization Branch subbudgets. I suggest progress towards Musgrave's ideal of a more informative budgetary 'language,' one less dependent on arbitrary institutional labeling, must be based on the nonarbitrary description of the individual's economic environment, as it is affected by government. As a first approximation, that environment can be summed up in terms of the individual's budget constraint and levels of public goods provided. Simple models suggest that an unambiguous budgetary language may be feasible but there remains much to clarify about both the objectives of the exercise and the specifics of methods to deal with particular problems.

Suggested Citation

Bradford, David F., Reforming Budgetary Language (October 2001). NBER Working Paper No. w8500, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=285623

David F. Bradford (Contact Author)

Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School ( email )

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CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

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