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Policy Cycles and Fiscal Outcomes in Latin America

Abstract

This article aims to empirically examine the presence of budgetary political cycles in the fiscal behavior of Latin American countries, using panel data for the period from 1990 to 2017. The study reveals that part of the macroeconomic and fiscal outcomes is influenced by political-economic cycles. The initial years of governments are characterized by a reduction in relative GDP growth, a slowdown in inflation, and an improvement in tax collection and fiscal results. There is no evidence that governments use the expedient of amplifying expenditures, in a generalized way, during election periods, but only in a sectoral way.

Keywords:
fiscal policy; political-economic cycles; panel data

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