ECS 2024
RePEc - OpenAIRE
The impact of fiscal decentralization on selected macroeconomic variables at the county level in Romania from 1999 to 2023
Empirical Article
Author: Alina Georgeta AILINCĂ
Published online: 29 November 2024
Abstract: In addition to the information held at the national level, regional statistics can provide extremely valuable information regarding disparities at the local level. Thus, this paper explores the impact of fiscal decentralization on some important macroeconomic parameters at the subnational level. The article uses a panel econometric model to analyze the impact of fiscal decentralization on variables such as employment, nominal salary and gross added value at the county level in Romania in the period 1999–2023. We used the method of ordinary least squares and the techniques of extrapolation, interpolation, and Granger causality. The findings reveal that fiscal decentralization can improve certain parameters, but at the same time it must comply with certain conditions for a substantial effect at the local level. Beyond the need for a certain level of responsibility and local institutional autonomy, for a relevant impact, the decentralization process also requires a better correlation between the decentralization of local expenditures and revenues and an effective prioritization of objectives.
Keywords: fiscal decentralization; regional analysis; public performance
Pages: 44-60
References
Bahl, R., & Bird, R. M. (2018). Fiscal decentralization 101. In Fiscal Decentralization and Local Finance in Developing Countries: Development from Below (pp. 3-35). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781786435309.00006
Ebel, R. and Yilmaz, S. (2003). On the measurement and impact of fiscal decentralisation. In J. Martinez-Vazquez, J. Alm (Eds.), Public Finance in Developing and Transitional Countries: Essays in Honor of Richard Bird (pp. 101-120). Chentelham: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Enikolopov, R., & Zhuravskaya, E. (2007). Decentralization and political institutions. Journal of Public Economics, 91(11-12), 2261-2290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2007.02.006
Fedelino, A., & Ter-Minassian, T. (2010). Making Fiscal Decentralization Work: Cross-Country Experiences (IMF Occasional Paper No. 271). International Monetary Fund. https://doi.org/10.5089/9781589069855.084
Filippetti, A., & Sacchi, A. (2013). Fiscal decentralization and economic growth reconsidered: The role of institutional setting. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2373164
Garman, C., Haggard, S., & Willis, E. (2001). Fiscal decentralization: A political theory with Latin American cases. World Politics, 53(2), 205-236. https://library.fes.de/libalt/journals/swetsfulltext/10015477.pdf
Gemmell, N., Kneller, R., & Sanz, I. (2013). Fiscal decentralization and economic growth: Spending versus revenue decentralization. Economic Inquiry, 51(4), 1915-1931. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-7295.2012.00508.x
Hanif, I., Wallace, S., & Gago-de-Santos, P. (2020). Economic growth by means of fiscal decentralization: An empirical study for federal developing countries. SAGE Open, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020968088
Hooghe, L., Marks, G., & Schakel, A. H. (2010) The Rise of Regional Authority: A Comparative Study of 43 Democracies. London: Routledge.
Martinez-Vazquez, J., Lago-Peñas, S., & Sacchi, A. (2015). The Impact of Fiscal Decentralization: A Survey (Working Paper 15-02). Governance and Economics Research Network. https://icepp.gsu.edu/files/2015/07/ispwp1502.pdf
Manta, R. (2007). Fiscal Decentralization in Romania: Assesment of Recent Developments [Master’s thesis]. Central European University, Budapest, Hungary. https://www.sar.org.ro/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Fiscal-Decentralization-in-Romania-Assessment-of-Recent-Developments.pdf
Ministry of Development, Public Works, and Administration. (2024). Situaţia veniturilor şi cheltuielilor unităţilor administrativ-teritoriale în perioada 1999-2019 [Income and expenditure situation of administrative-territorial units for the period 1999-2019]. http://www.dpfbl.mdrap.ro/sit_ven_si_chelt_uat.html
Nakatani, R., Zhang, Q., & García Valdés, I. (2022). Fiscal Decentralization Improves Social Outcomes When Countries Have Good Governance (IMF Working Paper No. 22/111). International Monetary Fund. https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400211768.001
Neyapti, B. (2010). Fiscal decentralization and deficits: International evidence. European Journal of Political Economy, 26(2), 155-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2010.01.001
Oates, W. (1999). An essay on fiscal federalism. Journal of Economic Literature, 37(3), 1120-1149. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jel.37.3.1120
Obeng, S. K. (2021). Fiscal decentralization, democracy and government size: Disentangling the complexities. Journal of International Development, 33(6), 975-1004. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.3545
OECD. (2021). Fiscal Federalism 2022: Making Decentralisation Work. https://doi.org/10.1787/201c75b6-en
Onofrei, M., Oprea, F., Iaţu, C., Cojocariu, L, & Anton, S. G. (2022). Fiscal decentralization, good governance and regional development—Empirical evidence in the European context. Sustainability, 14(12), 7093. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127093
Ponce-Rodríguez, R. A., Hankla, C. R., Martinez-Vazquez, J., & Heredia-Ortiz, E. (2012). Rethinking the Political Economy of Decentralization: How Elections and Parties Shape the Provision of Local Public Goods (AYSPS Working Paper No. 12-32). Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2188613
Profiroiu, M., & Profiroiu, A. (2006). Decentralization process in Romania. Transylvanian Review of Administrative Sciences, (16 E), 115-123. https://rtsa.ro/tras/index.php/tras/article/view/235
Rondinelli, D. A. (1990). Decentralization, territorial power and the state: A critical response. Development and Change, 21(3), 491-500. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7660.1990.tb00385.x
Sow, M., & Razafimahefa, I. F. (2015). Fiscal Decentralization and the Efficiency of Public Service Delivery (IMF Working Paper No. 15/59). International Monetary Fund. https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2015/wp1559.pdf
Voigt, S., & Blume, L. (2012). The economic effects of federalism and decentralization: A cross-country assessment. Public Choice, 151(1-2), 229-254. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11127-010-9745-z
Wang, B., & Deng, W. (2023). Fiscal decentralization and county natural poverty: A multidimensional study based on a BP neural network. Sustainability, 15(18), 13567. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813567

