Political-ideological circumstances and local authorities’ debt: evidence from Portuguese municipalities Susana Jorge Hot

https://psaar.net/media/reviews/photos/thumbnail/300x250s/ec/c3/d2/CONTEMPORARY-ECONOMICS-32-1482824411.gif
Uploaded by Susana Jorge     Uploaded date: December 27, 2016    
2606  
Publication date
January 22, 2015
Paper language
Abstract
The objective of this research is to analyze whether the political-ideological situation of municipalities affects their debt level, considering evidence from Portugal for the period 2004-2013. A static panel data model is applied, incorporating factors such as political ideology, political-electoral cycle, governance format, coincidence of the political parties between Local Executive and Local Assembly and coincidence of the political parties between the Local Executive and Central Government.
An additional variable to control the effects of the economic crisis between 2008 and 2010 is also considered. Based on the assumptions of the public choice theory, findings show a statistically significant relationship for the political-electoral cycle, allowing the conclusion that, given the evidence from Portuguese municipalities, debt increases in election years. Nevertheless, this is the only factor in the political-ideological circumstances that was found to be relevant in its effect on local authorities’ debt levels. It is also clear that the financial crisis in the period 2008-2010 likewise had a positive impact. The paper contributes to the strengthening of the debate on the association between municipalities’ political circumstances and debt, namely, in regards to strategic (electoral) debt cycles in local government.
Preferred Citation
RIBEIRO, Nuno; JORGE, Susana; «Political-ideological circumstances and local authorities’ debt: evidence from Portuguese municipalities»; Contemporary Economics, Vol. 9(2), 2015, pp.47-62.
Keywords
Debt, Local Government, Political-Ideological Factors, Public Finance
Email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Category
Other
Type of Paper
Published paper

How to get the paper

From the author (email)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Newsletter Subscribe to our Newsletter to get all the latest news

Log In or Sign Up