The Reality Of Budgetary Reform In OECD Nations

The Reality of Budgetary Reform in OECD Nations investigates the impacts and consequences of budgetary reform through a comparative assessment of advanced Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) democracies that have undertaken budget reforms over the past two to three decades.

This unique book traces the ‘story of reform’ in the respective countries. The expert authors explore the journey each country took, what the objectives were, the approach taken, the main events and key dates, what was implemented and what was discarded or replaced. They capture both the essence of each nation’s approach, as well as discuss the similarities and trends. The study investigates how the various roles of the central budget agencies have changed with respect to public expenditure, how budget processes have developed and the impact on the relations between key actors. It also analyses the internal cultures of central budget agencies and how they evaluate events, problems and their roles in controlling the fiscal policy of government.

With its comparative focus, this timely book is essential reading for the OECD and World Bank affiliates. Likewise, scholars and researchers of public finance, international and comparative government, and development and public sector management should not be without this important resource.

Contents:

1. Investigating the Reality of Reform in Modern Budgeting
John Wanna

2. Budget Reforms in the United States: A ‘Perfect Storm’ for a New Wave of Deficit-Reduction Reforms
Alfred Tat-Kei Ho

3. Budget Reform in the United Kingdom: The Rocky Road to ‘Controlled Discretion’
Colin Thain

4. Australia After Budgetary Reform: A Lapsed Pioneer or Decorative Architect?
Lewis Hawke and John Wanna

5. Discerning the Consequences and Integrity of Canada’s Budget Reforms: A Story of Remnants and Resilience
David A. Good and Evert A. Lindquist

6. Budgeting in New Zealand After the Reforms: From Radical Revolutionary to Cautious Consolidator
Richard Norman and Derek Gill

7. Budget Reform in Japan: Continuous Efforts but Still a Long Way to Go
Masahiro Horie

8. Korea’s Four Major Budgetary Reforms: Catching up with a Big Bang
John M. Kim

9. Budget Reforms in Denmark: Unheralded but Nevertheless Effective
Lotte Jensen and David Fjord

10. Budget Reform in The Netherlands: Sadder but Much Wiser Now
Jouke de Vries and Ton Bestebreur

11. Budget Reforms in Spain: Anything Else Beyond Budget Discipline?
Xavier Ballart and Eduardo Zapico

12. Budget Reform in Italy: Importing ‘Enlightened’ Ideas in a Difficult Context
Francesco Stolfi, Chiara Goretti and Luca Rizzuto

13. The Work in Progress of Budgetary Reform
John Wanna

Index