Routledge Fiscal Policies in Federal States (Routledge Revivals)

This title was first published in 2003. Investigating the impact of federal structure on fiscal policy-making in four country cases, this book answers the question as to what extent federal structures hinder or, on the contrary, enhance a state's decision and co-ordination capacity in the field of fiscal policy. It questions the common assumption that federal structures restrain the co-ordination and hence macroeconomic management capacity. Well-documented and meticulously presented, this book will be useful for all those working in the field of policy research, and more generally for those who wish not only to attain a deeper and more comprehensive view on fiscal policy making or federalism, but on the territorial dimension of fiscal policy. Review 'This well-written book is an important contribution to comparative research on federalism. The sound empirical study on the impact of federal structures on fiscal policy-making conducted by Dietmar Braun and his collaborators provides new insights as to how federalism works. Focusing on four different types of federal government the study explains the effects of institutions but also reveals different strategies and modes of coordination in the interplay between central and regional governments. The book should be essential reading for all interested in comparative government and public policy. People working in the relevant practical fields can gain helpful information needed in the ongoing debates on federalism.' Dr Arthur Benz, FernUniversität Hagen, Germany 'This book on federal states and their policy-making capabilities is a fine example of up-to-date comparative research of complex political systems. It demonstrates how to combine 'new institiutionalism' with concrete empirical research of public policy-making. In addition, by applying this type of theory to federal states is not only innovative but also unique in its systematic treatment of variations of federalism. Finally, the book offers rich empirical based information on the actual opportunities and constraints of public action in different federal states: Belgium, Canada, Germany and Switzerland. I can therefore recommend this well-structured study to both specialists in the field and to students of comparative government and policy analysis.' Dr Hans Keman, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Co-Editor of the European Journal of Political Research '...a good example of how a qualitative institutional approach can be applied to the study of comparative public policy.' Political ReviewNet About the Author Dietmar Braun is Professor of Political Science at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques et Internationales, Université de Lausanne