IMF Working Papers

Political Business Cycles and Expenditure Policies in Developing Countries

By Ludger Schuknecht

October 1, 1994

Preview Citation

Format: Chicago

Ludger Schuknecht. Political Business Cycles and Expenditure Policies in Developing Countries, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 1994) accessed November 21, 2024
Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

The paper studies empirically fiscal policies around elections in 35 developing countries. It finds that governments try to improve their reelection prospects with the help of expansionary expenditure policies. Rising fiscal deficits before elections are followed by fiscal consolidation afterwards. These cycles can be found particularly in countries which are less trade-oriented or which pursue fixed exchange rate policies. Certain IMF-supported programs (SAF/ESAF and EFF arrangements) contribute to fiscal stabilization, but they do not appear to affect the incidence of fiscal cycles. The paper concludes that policy advice and macroeconomic projections should not overlook election constraints, and political feasibility of reforms should be strengthened particularly before elections.

Subject: Capital spending, Expenditure, Fiscal policy, Fiscal stance, Foreign exchange, Real effective exchange rates

Keywords: Africa, Asia and Pacific, Budget constraint, Capital spending, Country, Election, Exchange regime variable, Fiscal stance, Government, Government administration, Government demand management, Government popularity, Incumbent government, Real effective exchange rates, Rightist government, South America, WP

Publication Details

  • Pages:

    38

  • Volume:

    ---

  • DOI:

    ---

  • Issue:

    ---

  • Series:

    Working Paper No. 1994/121

  • Stock No:

    WPIEA1211994

  • ISBN:

    9781451854312

  • ISSN:

    1018-5941

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