The Quality of Budget Execution and Its Correlates

Addison, Douglas

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: ACCOUNTING;    AGENCY PROBLEM;    AGENCY PROBLEMS;    AGGREGATE BUDGET;    AGGREGATE EXPENDITURE;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-6657
RP-ID  :  WPS6657

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

What determines the quality of budgetexecution around the world, measured in terms of agovernment's ability to accurately hit its own revenueand expenditure targets? The answers could be relevant tothe topics of macroeconomic stability, national development,public service delivery, and political reputation. Thispaper takes a step toward finding answers through theexploration of a new database of budgets and budget outcomesand potential cross-country correlates of budget executionin levels and in composition. Few countries within the datasample execute their budgets well, in levels or incomposition. Expenditure deviations are positively butrather loosely correlated with revenue deviations. Withinthis broad tendency, there is considerable variation inbehavior not only across countries, but also across timewithin countries. In explaining the cross-countryvariations, the data confirm traditional drivers for commonpool behavior while also supporting constructive roles forpolitical institutions and the technical capacity for publicfinancial management. This is good news for reform minded governments.