A model of the optimal allocation of government expenditures

Fan, Simon;Pang, Yu;Pestieau, Pierre
(2019) , 40 pages

Files

coredp2019_18web.pdf
  • Open Access
  • Adobe PDF
  • 2.2 MB

Details

Authors
  • Fan, SimonLingnan University
    Author
  • Pang, YuMacau University of Science and Technology
    Author
  • Pestieau, PierreUCLouvain
    Author
Abstract
Government expenditures can be used for various socio-economic objectives, including public education, consumption of public goods and services, and social protection. This paper analyzes the optimal allocation of public expenditures among these competing functions. We establish an overlapping generations model with heterogeneous individuals in which the government optimally chooses income tax, transfer payment, educational spending, and public consumption. Our model characterizes the transitional dynamics and the steady state of each function with and without a pay-as-you-go international contract. We also conduct a simulation illustrating that the presence of an intergenerational contract may raise public consumption and social welfare in the ssteady state.
Affiliations

Citations

Fan, S., Pang, Y., & Pestieau, P. (2019). A model of the optimal allocation of government expenditures (CORE Discussion Papers 2019/18). https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/125203