Fiscal systems throughout the world have been severely strained in recent years, as governments have assumed more responsibility for economic management. The developing counties, where needs are greatest and resources scarcest, have found their finances especially hard pressed. This book examines a range of issues in government finance that confront developing countries: the formulation and execution of national budget; the objectives, size, and effects of expenditures; the purposes and results of various ways of taxing income, wealth, consumption, exports, or natural resources; the role of foreign and domestic borrowings; and the consequences of financing by money creation. The book also relates fiscal operations to goals such as growth and development, economic stabilization, equitable distribution, and national self-reliance. The author stresses the need to take account of economic and political conditions and particularly administrative capacity when evaluating the suitability of fiscal measures in developing countries.

This lively and accessible book discusses the real world fiscal issues in developing countries within a realistic macroeconomic and social framework. It represents the best synthesis currently available of the link between public finance and macroeconomics in developing countries, with emphasis on positive rather than normative aspects. The first part of the book emphasizes the reasons why normatively prescribed policy objectives are often not achieved. The second part includes various chapters that show the close link that exists between developments in the public finances and in the macroeconomic situation of these countries. The impact on inflation and of the real exchange rate on tax revenue is highlighted. The third part discusses various aspects of taxation and the requirements for successful tax reform.

This volume reviews current developments taking place in public sector economics and covers issues in both public expenditure and taxation. Trends in public spending, and their determinants, are reviewed along with recent developments in the public choice perspective and the analysis of the demand for public goods. Taxation issues include the incentive effects of taxation, tax evasion and compliance costs and taxation in developing countries. The book concludes with a discussion of the public sector and income distribution and fiscal federalism. Other topics include privatization and deregulation.

A discussion of the impact of government revenues and expenditures on economic activity, with special reference to developing countries. Michael Howard raises theoretical and empirical issues relating to the role of the public sector in economic development.