Besley, Timothy 
ORCID: 0000-0002-8923-6372
(2011)
Pathologies of the state.
Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 80 (2).
pp. 339-350.
ISSN 0167-2681
Abstract
This paper uses a simple dynamic model where a government performs three functions: taxation, public spending and contract enforcement to study pathologies in resource allocation by government. A key feature of the approach is that states may invest in their future capacities to raise taxes and protect property rights. Three types of state are shown to be possible in this framework: common-interest states, redistributive states and weak states whose emergence depends on the nature of political institutions. We consider both Pigouvian and Wicksellian benchmarks against which to compare different outcomes that might arise in political equilibrium. The paper argues for a greater focus on weak government and points out that a failure to generate Wicksellian unanimity lies behind them.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescriptio... |
| Additional Information: | © 2011 Elsevier |
| Divisions: | Economics |
| Subjects: | J Political Science > JC Political theory |
| JEL classification: | H - Public Economics > H1 - Structure and Scope of Government > H11 - Structure, Scope, and Performance of Government |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Oct 2011 15:54 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Nov 2024 05:21 |
| URI: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/39010 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
