Fiscal austerity versus creative accounting: a new praxis for the old opportunistic impetus

Authors

  • Saulo Souza Faculdade ASCES

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2237-4485.lev.2013.132326

Keywords:

Fiscal rules, fiscal opportunism, elections, creative accounting

Abstract

This article focuses on the state governments’ ability to retain traditional political benefits associated to public expenditures in a context characterized by the adoption of fiscal austerity rules. We presuppose that, despite the fiscal stabilization reforms introduced in Brazil, the windows of opportunity are still open to promote opportunistic fiscal behavior. The outcome is twofold: fiscal indiscipline and the creation of time consistent deficit problems. The work concludes that the notion of creative accounting can explain why the officeholders, who are expected to comply with the rules up to the end of their term, convey debts to the next administration

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Author Biography

  • Saulo Souza, Faculdade ASCES
    Doutor pela Universidade de Cambridge e pela Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, professor na Faculdade ASCES

Published

2013-05-18

Issue

Section

Political Institutions, Parties and Comparative Politics

How to Cite

Fiscal austerity versus creative accounting: a new praxis for the old opportunistic impetus. (2013). Leviathan (São Paulo), 6, 127-152. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2237-4485.lev.2013.132326