Language:
English
Pages:
Online-Ressource
Edition:
Online-Ausg. World Bank E-Library Archive Also available in print
Series Statement:
Policy research working paper 3655
Parallel Title:
Dafflon, Bernard Fiscal federalism in Switzerland
Keywords:
Decentralization in government
;
Decentralization in government
;
Intergovernmental fiscal relations
;
Intergovernmental fiscal relations
;
Decentralization in government
;
Decentralization in government
;
Intergovernmental fiscal relations
;
Intergovernmental fiscal relations
;
Europe, Eastern Regional disparities
;
Switzerland Regional disparities
;
Europe, Eastern Regional disparities
;
Switzerland Regional disparities
Abstract:
"Its highly fragmented structure of local governments and serious horizontal fiscal imbalances make Switzerland a surprisingly powerful model for Eastern European countries that are currently facing the challenge of fiscal decentralization. In spite of the substantial differences in the tradition and current practice of intergovernmental fiscal relations, transition economies may learn valuable lessons from the Swiss case in the fields of direct democracy, horizontal cooperation, expenditure and revenue assignment, and fiscal discipline. Among other conclusions, the authors suggest that subnational authorities can effectively fend off recentralization attempts of the central government if they engage in spontaneous cooperation to enhance the efficiency of public service provision. Together with an adequate fiscal equalization scheme, interjurisdictional cooperation also permits the reconciliation of the objective of an increasing devolution of powers with the existing regional disparities. The authors also show that the principle of subsidiarity can best be safeguarded by anchoring the expenditure and revenue powers of subnational governments in the constitution or in a similarly strong law. With regard to fiscal discipline, the combination of a "golden rule" with direct democratic instruments of budget control is proven to be successful in enhancing the accountability of local politicians toward their constituencies. "--World Bank web site
Note:
Includes bibliographical references
,
Title from PDF file as viewed on 8/16/2005
,
Also available in print.
URL:
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