The Economics of Government Complexity and the Practice of Public Finance

Public finance is an important branch of economics. Over the years it has become more important, more controversial, and more complex. Much of the academic writing on it is highly theoretical, and it is often done by economists who have had little real world experience. Vito Tanzi has been continually engaged in this field for almost six decades, as a professor of public finance, a practitioner of it in many countries, and as a researcher, and has witnessed first-hand the growing gap between theoretical work and the real life practice of public finance. Public finance has come to be increasingly influenced by the pursuit of multiple government goals and by the growing complexity that now characterizes fiscal policy and government programs in many countries. Notably, the goal of simplicity has played only a small role in the practice of public finance and in academic work. Complexity puts a dense fog around many policies, making it difficult to predict and assess the results. This book aims to highlight to both economists and policymakers the need for simplicity in policies. It also aims to inform students of public finance and public policy about this growing problem and the need to pay more attention to it.

Dr Vito Tanzi has a Harvard PhD in Economics, which he received in 1967. He was Professor of Economics at the American University (1967-76), Head of the Tax Policy Division at the IMF (1974-1981), President of the International Institute of Public Finance (1990- 1994) at the Commendatore della Repubblica Italiana, Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department at the IMF (1981-2000), and Undersecretary for Economy and Finance with the Italian Government (2001-2003). Dr Tanzi has been an independent research scholar since 2003. He has received five honorary degrees from universities in four countries and several other prizes. The economic effect 'The Tanzi effect' was named after him.