Political Institutions, State Capabilities and Public Policy: International Evidence
Inter-American Development Bank Research Department Working Paper No. 661
45 Pages Posted: 7 Feb 2010
There are 2 versions of this paper
Political Institutions, State Capabilities and Public Policy: International Evidence
Political Institutions, State Capabilities and Public Policy: International Evidence
Date Written: December 30, 2008
Abstract
This paper introduces preliminary evidence from a cross-country database of policy characteristics and potential uses of that database. While most databases have emphasized either the content of policies (e.g., size of government deficits) or countries’ formal institutions (e.g., political regime, electoral system), the variables in this database reflect the policymaking capabilities of different polities. The paper attempts to explain these policy characteristics as depending on the workings of political institutions, using a logic emphasizing intertemporal political compromise. The paper also contrasts this logic with alternatives such as the veto players approach. The paper concludes by suggesting the use of these policy characteristics or state capabilities as explanatory variables for the effectiveness of public spending in various social areas.
Keywords: Political institutions, Public Policies, Government Capabilities, Veto Players, Intertemporal Cooperation, Development, Human Development Index, Public Expenditures, Policy Index, Adaptability, Stability, Judicial Independence, Party Institutionalization, Congress Capabilities, Cabinet Stability
JEL Classification: D72, D78, H10, H50, O10
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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