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Fiscal decentralization in Russia and the world: trends and effects

https://doi.org/10.32609/0042-8736-2021-11-89-107

Abstract

The paper identifies the state of federal and local fiscal decentralization in Russia and its effects. Original classification of decentralization indicators by a consolidated parameter indicator and a single-level parameter indicator (fiscal autonomy) is proposed. The indicator of vertical imbalance is allocated to a separate group. Despite the upward trend of fiscal decentralization in the world, Russian federal fiscal decentralization (the size of fiscal powers of regional authorities) has not increased and lags most other federations. However, the state of local decentralization (the size of fiscal powers of local authorities) is much worse, since for 2008-2018 there was a significant reduction and local revenue decentralization is minimal compared to other federations. The results obtained may indicate that fiscal decentralization could not contribute to the efficiency of the Russian budgetary system. The decrease in local decentralization may have been caused by the growth of the regional debt, but the question of why there was a decrease remains open. Favorable role of significant local fiscal powers on business and alleged existence of a threshold in decentralization-macroindicators relationship are also confirmed.

About the Author

E. N. Timushev
Institute of Socio-economic and Energy Problems of the North of the Komi Science Centre, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation

Evgeny N. Timushev

Syktyvkar



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Timushev E.N. Fiscal decentralization in Russia and the world: trends and effects. Voprosy Ekonomiki. 2021;(11):89-107. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.32609/0042-8736-2021-11-89-107

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