Decentralization and Fiscal Discipline in Subnational Governments:The Bailout Problem in Uruguay

This paper analyzes the reasons behind Central Government (CG) bailouts of Subnational Governments (SNGs) in the case of Uruguay. We argued that Uruguay represents a good example of the risks of fiscal decentralization, in the context of adjustment policies, and when SNGs` responsibilities and resources have not been carefully defined. We show that, in unitary countries where SNGs lack the opportunities to misbehave that they have in federal countries (e. g. , public debt issuance, international borrowing), SNG officials find ways to finance deficits through non-compliance with politically contestable obligations. In particular, SNGs in Uruguay finance their deficits by accumulating debts with other government agencies and obtaining discretionary transfers from the CG. Through statistical analyses we show that debts and deficits are mainly related to vertical fiscal imbalances and economic conditions in the SN jurisdictions. Yet, the analysis of recent bailout episodes suggests that institutions and political factors play a role (i. e. , they are important ex-post factors). This implies that bailouts have been more than simple compensations for structural imbalances, thus creating opportunities for strategic behavior on the part of SNG authorities (partly confirmed by the disparate fiscal performance of Montevideo vis-à-vis the rest of the country).

A Note on Complexity Measures for Probabilistic P Systems

In this paper we present a first approach to the definition of different entropy measures for probabilistic P systems in order to obtain some quantitative parameters showing how complex the evolution of a P system is. To this end, we define two possible measures, the first one to reflect the entropy of the P system considered as the state space of possible computations, and the second one to reflect the change of the P system as it evolves.Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología TIC2002-04220-C03-0

Zk\mathbb{Z}_k-stratifolds

Generalizing the ideas of $\mathbb{Z}_k$-manifolds from Sullivan and the theory of stratifolds from Kreck, we define $\mathbb{Z}_k$-stratifolds. We introduce the bordism theory of $\mathbb{Z}_k$-stratifolds in order to represent every homology class with $\mathbb{Z}_k$-coefficients. We present a geometric interpretation of the Bockstein long exact sequence and the Atiyah-Hirzebruch spectral sequence for $\mathbb{Z}_k$-bordism ($k$ odd)

Is the exchange rate politically manipulated around elections? The evidence from Uruguay

In a small open economy, the exchange rate is a key variable from the perspective of the political economy of macro policy. It is, indeed, one of the most powerful instruments that governments can use to achieve their goals. Recent theories of political macroeconomics stress that maximization of social welfare may be just one, and perhaps not the most relevant, of such goals. Others include politicians’ own permanence in power and serving the interests of specific constituencies. This paper seeks to determine the pertinence for the Uruguayan economy of the recent literature on the political economy of exchange rate management. The predictions of various theoretical models are summarized, along with the stylized facts identified in a series of recent empirical studies. After a brief discussion on the advantages of alternative specifications to test for political cycles in the exchange rate, the theoretical predictions and stylized facts are confronted with the evidence for Uruguay since 1920. The analysis shows empirical regularities consistent with political manipulation of the exchange rate around elections.political cycles, exchange rate policy, time series models.

Functional anatomy of non-REM sleep

The state of non-REM sleep (NREM), or slow wave sleep, is associated with a synchronized EEG pattern in which sleep spindles and/or K complexes and high-voltage slow wave activity (SWA) can be recorded over the entire cortical surface. In humans, NREM is subdivided into stages 2 and 3–4 (presently named N3) depending on the proportions of each of these polygraphic events. NREM is necessary for normal physical and intellectual performance and behavior. An overview of the brain structures involved in NREM generation shows that the thalamus and the cerebral cortex are absolutely necessary for the most significant bioelectric and behavioral events of NREM to be expressed; other structures like the basal forebrain, anterior hypothalamus, cerebellum, caudal brain stem, spinal cord and peripheral nerves contribute to NREM regulation and modulation. In NREM stage 2, sustained hyperpolarized membrane potential levels resulting from interaction between thalamic reticular and projection neurons gives rise to spindle oscillations in the membrane potential; the initiation and termination of individual spindle sequences depends on corticothalamic activities. Cortical and thalamic mechanisms are also involved in the generation of EEG delta SWA that appears in deep stage 3–4 (N3) NREM; the cortex has classically been considered to be the structure that generates this activity, but delta oscillations can also be generated in thalamocortical neurons. NREM is probably necessary to normalize synapses to a sustainable basal condition that can ensure cellular homeostasis. Sleep homeostasis depends not only on the duration of prior wakefulness but also on its intensity, and sleep need increases when wakefulness is associated with learning. NREM seems to ensure cell homeostasis by reducing the number of synaptic connections to a basic level; based on simple energy demands, cerebral energy economizing during NREM sleep is one of the prevalent hypotheses to explain NREM homeostasis.Grant BFU2009-06991/BFI from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation supported this wor

Volatility of the capital flows and structural breaks in Latin American and the Caribbean

En este trabajo, se estudia la presencia de quiebres estructurales en los flujos de capitales de 16 economías de Latinoamérica usando el test de raíz unitaria de Zivot y Andrews (1992). Para complementar el análisis, se utiliza el test de quiebres estructurales de Bai Perron (1998). Luego, se procede a analizar la posibilidad de contemporaneidad entre los quiebres encontrados y las crisis que tales países sufrieron en los últimos 40 años. Dichas crisis pueden ser de moneda, bancarias, domésticas o de deuda externa. Se encontraron muchos casos de contemporaneidad, especialmente con las crisis que ocurrieron al final de los 90.This paper studies the presence of structural breaks in the capital flows of sixteen economies of Latin America using the unit root test by Zivot and Andrews (1992). It is complemented by the structural break test by Bai Perron (1998). Afterwards, an analysis of the likelihood of contemporaneity between the breaks found and the crises the countries had suffered in the last forty years is presented. These crises were either of currency, banking, domestic and external debt type. Many cases of contemporaneity were found, especially with the crises that occurred at the end of the 90s.Instituto de Investigaciones Económica

Volatility of the capital flows and structural breaks in Latin American and the Caribbean

En este trabajo, se estudia la presencia de quiebres estructurales en los flujos de capitales de 16 economías de Latinoamérica usando el test de raíz unitaria de Zivot y Andrews (1992). Para complementar el análisis, se utiliza el test de quiebres estructurales de Bai Perron (1998). Luego, se procede a analizar la posibilidad de contemporaneidad entre los quiebres encontrados y las crisis que tales países sufrieron en los últimos 40 años. Dichas crisis pueden ser de moneda, bancarias, domésticas o de deuda externa. Se encontraron muchos casos de contemporaneidad, especialmente con las crisis que ocurrieron al final de los 90.This paper studies the presence of structural breaks in the capital flows of sixteen economies of Latin America using the unit root test by Zivot and Andrews (1992). It is complemented by the structural break test by Bai Perron (1998). Afterwards, an analysis of the likelihood of contemporaneity between the breaks found and the crises the countries had suffered in the last forty years is presented. These crises were either of currency, banking, domestic and external debt type. Many cases of contemporaneity were found, especially with the crises that occurred at the end of the 90s.Instituto de Investigaciones Económica

Statistical inference for testing gini coefficients: an application for Colombia

This paper uses Colombian household survey data collected over the period 1984-2005 to estimate Gini coeficients along with their corresponding standard errors. We �find a statistically signi�cant increase in wage income inequality following the adoption of the liberalisation measures of the early 1990s, and mixed evidence during the recovery years that followed the economic recession of the late 1990s. We also �nd that in several cases the observed diferences in the Gini coeficients across cities have not been statistically signi�cant.Inequality, Gini coe¢ cient, bootstrap, Colombia.