Understanding citizens’ knowledge and preferences for fiscal equalization in decentralized countries
This paper examines how personal attributes and attitudes, and contextual factors shape citizens’ knowledge and preferences regarding fiscal equalization in multilevel governance systems. Our findings reveal that most individuals possess a limited understanding of the equalization system in Spain. M...
| Autores: | , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC) |
| Repositorio: | Minerva. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:minerva.usc.gal:10347/43743 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43743 |
| Access Level: | acceso embargado |
| Palabra clave: | Fiscal equalization Fiscal federalism Citizens’ preferences Interregional redistribution 5301 Política fiscal y hacienda pública nacionales |
| Sumario: | This paper examines how personal attributes and attitudes, and contextual factors shape citizens’ knowledge and preferences regarding fiscal equalization in multilevel governance systems. Our findings reveal that most individuals possess a limited understanding of the equalization system in Spain. Moreover, an informational bias arises among those with strong regional identities. Concerning preferences, we find a double effect of regional identities pushing in the same direction. The average individual of wealthier territories where identities are stronger (Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Navarre) is less prone to equalization, and this effect is strengthened in the case of individuals with pronounced regional identities. Finally, we find only weak evidence that citizens’ knowledge affects their preferences towards the design or outcomes of fiscal equalization. These insights provide valuable guidance to countries undergoing decentralization processes, highlighting the importance of early public discussions to prevent future challenges and political conflicts. |
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