By Carlos Scartascini Tax evasion is endemic in many countries. In particular, some developing countries like Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Guatemala do not collect even half of what they should if taxpayers complied with the written letter of the law, according to recent studies summarized in Corbacho, Fretes Cibils, and Lora (2013). This problem is … [Read more...] about Who cares if you don’t pay your taxes?
Corruption: peeking below the tip of the iceberg
By: Isabel Contreras and Juanita Riaño (IADB´s Office of Institutional Integrity) Every year on December 9 the International Anti-Corruption Day is celebrated. This year’s message reminds us that we all have a responsibility in the fight against corruption, as it hinders achieving our goals of sustainable development, and reducing poverty and inequality in Latin-America … [Read more...] about Corruption: peeking below the tip of the iceberg
When you are 64
Right after you sing this to the tune of the Beatles song “When I’m 64” Sent you a pension, wrote you a check Stating full amount Indicate precisely how much is your min And please tell us your next of kin This is to help you avoid the fall Who could ask for more We will support you, staying alive When you’re sixty-five Tu ru ru tutu tu ru ru tuuu turuuu tu … [Read more...] about When you are 64
How (not) to lie with Cost Benefit Analysis
“Lies, damned lies, and statistics” is what Benjamin Disraeli reportedly once said, according to Mark Twain and if one is to believe Wikipedia. A few months ago I wrote on some of the dirty little secrets in Cost Benefit Analysis: mixing nominal and real flows, counting employment as a benefit, ignoring externalities etc. So it’s refreshing (or is it?) that … [Read more...] about How (not) to lie with Cost Benefit Analysis
The dirty laundry of benefit estimation
The application of Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) in public policy is widespread in developed countries. For more than 50 years major public policy decisions in the US have been subject to CBA rules. The current framework was established by Presidential Executive Order 12866 which on September 30 1993 established CBA as a pivotal element in the American regulatory … [Read more...] about The dirty laundry of benefit estimation