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Ferdinand Mittermaier
- 19 March 2009
- WORKING PAPER SERIES - No. 1033Details
- Abstract
- We set up a model to characterize the reaction functions of governments competing for mobile capital by simultaneously setting both the business tax rate as well as the level of provision of a productive public input. Using a rich data set of local jurisdictions, we then test the predictions of the model with respect to the nature of strategic interaction among governments. Our findings from efficient estimation of a system of spatially interrelated equations for both policy instruments support the notion that local governments use both the business tax rate and public inputs to compete for capital. In particular, we find that if neighbors cut their tax rates, governments try to restore competitiveness by lowering their own tax and increasing spending on public inputs. If neighbors provide more infra-structure, governments react by increasing their own spending on public inputs.
- JEL Code
- H72 : Public Economics→State and Local Government, Intergovernmental Relations→State and Local Budget and Expenditures
H77 : Public Economics→State and Local Government, Intergovernmental Relations→Intergovernmental Relations, Federalism, Secession
C72 : Mathematical and Quantitative Methods→Game Theory and Bargaining Theory→Noncooperative Games