Taxing the Informal Economy: The Current State of Knowledge and Agendas for Future Research

Abstract

This paper reviews the literature on taxation of the informal economy, taking stock of key debates and drawing attention to recent innovations. Conventionally, the debate on whether to tax has frequently focused on the limited revenue potential, high cost of collection, and potentially adverse impact on small firms. Recent arguments have increasingly emphasised the more indirect benefits of informal taxation in relation to economic growth, broader tax compliance, and governance. More research is needed, we argue, into the relevant costs and benefits for all, including quasi-voluntary compliance, political and administrative incentives for reform, and citizen-state bargaining over taxation.     

Consideration Sets and Political Choices: A Heterogeneous Model of Vote Choice and Sub-national Party Strength

This paper brings to political science a new decision-making model based on research in consumer behavior. Individuals do not necessarily make choices from the universe of alternatives; rather, they choose from a “consideration set,” a notion derived from both utility maximization and information processing theories. Here I apply a model of heterogeneous consideration sets to voting in the 2000 Mexican national election. I argue that the sub-national variation in the strength of Mexican parties leads to heterogeneous consideration sets, resulting in individuals with identical issue preferences and personal attributes making different voting decisions. Application of this model provides both interesting substantive conclusions about vote choice in Mexico and a more general theoretical innovation regarding vote choice.

Brunei's strategic dilemmas

Abstract

This paper compares health policy trends in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand with the purpose of drawing usable lessons in reform. The study finds that governments in the region are rapidly privatizing the provision of healthcare at the same time as they are expanding the government's role in financing. The paper argues that expansion of public financing at the same time as private provision is misconceived as the combination would aggravate instances and severity of market failures peculiar to the sector. The dysfunctional trend is particularly evident in Indonesia and the Philippines. In Thailand, in contrast, the expansion of public financing has occurred in the context of a health system dominated by public providers, which has had the effect of restraining healthcare costs. Malaysia occupies a mid position between Indonesia and the Philippines on the one hand and Thailand on the other. All four cases underline the value of state capacity in designing optimal policies and implementing them effectively.     

Retrospective valuations of intellectual property

A relatively simple method for ongoing retrospective valuations of intellectual property (IP) for the purpose of setting royalty rates is described. The method uses measureable variables that indicate directly the value of an IP to a licensee over time. Protections are built into the method to preclude royalties that would be unfair to either the licensee or licensor. Unlike the cost- or income-based methods used in current practice, the described method does not require any assumptions about the future and is therefore immune to the uncertainties and possible inaccuracies that are inherent to prospective valuations. Although forecasting is needed for some purposes, such as for certain tax purposes or for the overall valuation of a company by stock analysts, the described retrospective valuations can be usefully applied for setting royalty rates that closely track and reflect changes in market conditions, patent protection, and product design.     

Compliance by WTO Members with Adverse WTO Dispute Settlement Rulings: The Record to Date

The generally positive record of Members in complying with adverserulings by panels, the Appellate Body or both has been an importantfactor in the success of the WTO dispute settlement system todate. In approximately 90 percent of the adopted reports, oneor more violations of WTO obligations have been found by panelsand/or the Appellate Body. In virtually all of these cases theWTO Member found to be in violation has indicated its intentionto bring itself into compliance and the record indicates thatin most cases has already done so. It is noticeable, if notunsurprising, that compliance has been more rapid where theWTO violations can be corrected through administrative actionas opposed to legislative action. A closer review of the compliancerecord of the United States and the European Communities, whichtogether have been the object of approximately half of all adverseWTO rulings, shows that these Members have generally succeededin bringing themselves into compliance with such rulings, althoughboth Members have experienced some residual compliance difficultiesin a small number of cases. As a final note, the overall positiverecord of Members in complying with adverse WTO rulings is reflectedin, and confirmed by, the low number of cases where Membershave sought and received authorization to impose retaliatorymeasures.