Source: OECD Journal on Budgeting, Volume 4, Number 3, March 2006 , pp. i-483(484)

Publisher: OECD - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Abstract:

The legal basis for budget processes and budget actors varies enormously across OECD countries. For example, the United States has a dozen major laws to support federal government budget processes, while Denmark and Norway have never adopted any such law.

To understand this situation, this book compares legal frameworks for budgeting in 13 selected OECD countries. It presents detailed case studies of national budget system laws and identifies why the legal frameworks differ so much. The book also looks at theories of public finance and constitutional political economics, and discusses norms for an optimum legal framework.

With a focus on similarities and differences in formal laws (constitutions and statutes relating to the budget system), the comparative analysis will be useful for any government planning to reform its budget laws.

 

Preface by Richard Emery, Asst Director, Office of Management and Budget, USAExecutive SummaryPart I. Comparative Law, Constitutions, Politics and Budget Systems-Introduction-Budget Processes-Can Economic Theory Explain the Differences?-Can Comparative Law Explain the Differences?-Forms of Government and Budget System Laws-Part II. Comparison of OECD Country Legal Frameworks for Budget Systems-Introduction-Different Purposes of the Legal Frameworks for Budget Systems-Differences in the Legal Framework for the Main Actors-Differences in the Legal Framework for Budget ProcessesPart III. Is There an Optimum Legal Framework for the Budget System?-Have Standards for the Legal Framework of Budget Systems been Drawn Up?-Who Should Set and Monitor Legally Binding Standards?-Principles to Support the Legal Framework of Budget SystemsPart IV. Case Studies of Selected OECD Countries-Canada-France-Germany-Japan-Korea-New Zealand-Four Nordic Countries-Spain-United Kingdom-United States

Document Type: Review article

Publication date: 2006-03-01

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