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Fiscal Federalism and Income Inequality: An Empirical Analysis for Switzerland

Author

Listed:
  • Lars P. Feld
  • Christian Frey
  • Christoph A. Schaltegger
  • Lukas A. Schmid
Abstract
This paper analyzes the impact of fiscal federalism on income inequality and redistribution. Theoretically contradicting arguments ask for empirical evidence to obtain a better knowledge of this relationship. We rely on the institutional setting in Switzerland to study the issue empirically. According to our findings tax decentralization tends to reduce concentration in pre- and after-tax income without additional redistribution via progressive taxes. It is, however, crucial to consider the interdependence of decentralization and fragmentation as inequality decreasing effects of decentralization are counteracted by its interaction with fragmentation.

Suggested Citation

  • Lars P. Feld & Christian Frey & Christoph A. Schaltegger & Lukas A. Schmid, 2018. "Fiscal Federalism and Income Inequality: An Empirical Analysis for Switzerland," CESifo Working Paper Series 7407, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7407
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Philipp Erfurth, 2022. "Is Income Inequality Converging at the Regional Level? Evidence from LIS Data," LIS Working papers 841, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    2. Joséphine Leuba, 2019. "Natural amenities and the spatial distribution of Swiss income," IRENE Working Papers 19-04, IRENE Institute of Economic Research.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    federalism; decentralization; inequality; income concentration; top incomes; redistribution; Switzerland;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism

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