Environmental federalism: a proposal of decentralization

In a context in which environmental protection have become in an important issue, the paper analyses which would be the optimal division of environmental policymaking functions among the different government levels. From the point of view of the fiscal federalism theory, we will design the most appropriate level of decentralization in each situation. In this sense, a proposal of decentralization has been shown, analyzing the consequences that a lax environmental policy could generate on future generations. Key words: Fiscal federalism, environmental policies, water management. Clasificación JEL: H77, Q25, Q2

Differences in Preferences Towards the Environment: The Impact of a Gender, Age and Parental Effect

The paper investigates empirically the differences in preferences towards protection of the environment. Using seven different dependent variables to focus on the impact of age, gender and children we use a large micro data set covering data from 33 Western and Eastern European countries. The results indicate that women have both a stronger preference towards the environment and a stronger willingness to contribute. Moreover, we observe the tendency of a negative correlation between age and environmental preferences. However, a positive effect is visible once we focus on the impact of age on social norms (environmental morale). Finally, we were not able to observe that having children is positively correlated with a stronger preference towards the environment.Environmental Preferences, Environmental Morale, Gender, Age, Children

Environmental Participation and Environmental Motivation

We explore whether environmental motivation affects environmental behavior by focusing on volunteering. The paper first introduces a theoretical model of volunteering in environmental organizations. In a next step, it tests the hypothesis working with a large micro data set covering 32 countries from both Western and Eastern Europe using several different proxies to measure environmental motivation. Our results indicate that environmental motivation has a strong impact on individuals’ voluntary engagement in environmental organizations. A higher level of environmental motivation due to higher environmental moral standards may lead to a stronger voluntary involvement in environmental organizations.Environmental Participation, Environmental Motivation, Environmental Morale, Pro-environmental Attitudes, Social Capital

More Income Equality or Not? An Empirical Analysis of Individuals' Preferences for Redistribution

Do people prefer a society with an extensive social welfare system with high taxes, or low taxes but lax redistributive policies? Although economists have for a long time investigated the trade-off mechanism between equity and efficiency, surprisingly little information is available about citizens’ preferences over the distribution of income in a society. The aim of this paper is reduce this shortcoming, investigating in an empirical study working with World Values Survey, what shapes individuals' preferences for income equality in Spain. We present evidence that not only traditional economic variables are relevant to be considered, but also factors such as ideology, political interest, fairness perception about others or trust in institutions, are key determinants to understand preferences towards redistribution and equality. Furthermore, we also find that regional conditions affect the citizens’ preferences for income equality. Higher income inequality leads to stronger preferences for equality. On the other hand, there is the tendency that higher social expenditures reduce the preferences for income equality.redistribution, inequality, welfare state, social capital, regional conditions

Local government debt: an application to the Spanish case

For the last years, Europe has been subject to fiscal austerity in order to satisfy the Maastrich criteria. In this way, Spanish municipalities have been affected by new regulations and local government structure has changed. This paper is focused on the main factors that explain local government debt. In particular, budgetary information of a group of Spanish municipalities is used (1990-2000). Econometric analysis of cross section and panel data are presented. Key words:Fiscal Federalism, Local Government, debt, decentralization.

Efficiency and elusion: both sides of public enterprises in Spain

The main objective of this research consists on analyzing regional públic sector enterprises (PSEs) in Spain. We describe a general view on Spanish Autonomous Communities (ACs) financial resources, in the context of the Stability and Growth Pact and Budgetary Stability Act. From 2002, such regulation imposes several constraints to ACs’ indebtness. In this paper, we find out about the roll of PSEs as an alternative way to traditional debt mechanisms. Thus, according to Eurostat criteria, PSEs’ debt can be taken off the public sector’s consolidated budget. Descriptive and econometric results confirm our expectations. ACs’ have used public enterprises to avoid the stringent financial rules. Additionally, it seems that low productivity ACs are accumulating more public debt outside the scope of consolidation. The paper concludes with some recommendations and policy implications

Participation in environmental organizations: an empirical analysis

The literature on volunteering has increased over the last few years. However, despite the importance of active environmental participation for solving public good and externality problems, there is still a lack of substantial empirical evidence regarding several interesting factors that influence this form of volunteering. This empirical study investigates the area by analyzing a cross-section of individuals from 38 countries using micro-data from wave III of the World Values Survey (1995-1997). The results suggest that individuals' active participation in environmental organizations is related not only to socioeconomic factors but also to political interest. We also find that a higher level of corruption is related to participation in environmental organizations. However, the situation is different for transition countries in which there was a collapse of institutional structures. The energy required to negotiate the ensuing chaos may have crowded out other forms of engagemen

Local government debt: an application to the Spanish case

For the last years, Europe has been subject to fiscal austerity in order to satisfy the Maastrich criteria. In this way, Spanish municipalities have been affected by new regulations and local government structure has changed. This paper is focused on the main factors that explain local government debt. In particular, budgetary information of a group of Spanish municipalities is used (1990-2000). Econometric analysis of cross section and panel data are presented. Key words:Fiscal Federalism, Local Government, debt, decentralization

Prevenciones ex ante y validaciones ex post en la selección de outputs para evaluar servicios públicos: el caso de la educación

La selección de indicadores de resultados y productividad es una cuestión de plena actualidad en el campo de la gestión y evaluación de los servicios públicos en general, y en el caso de la Educación Secundaria en particular. Para dar respuesta a este problema, en este trabajo se analizan dos aspectos complementarios. En primer lugar y como paradigma de análisis ex ante de la cuestión, detectar si se dan en la realidad en un número significativo de escuelas situaciones problemáticas que podrían sesgar la evaluación, como la especialización en determinados resultados o la aparición de estrategias. Posteriormente y como contraste ex post, se comprobará la adecuación de distintas alternativas de variables de output educativo a los casos polémicos detectados. Como datos del estudio se emplean los relativos a una muestra de 215 Institutos de Educación Secundaria públicos localizados en las CC. AA. de Asturias, Aragón y Extremadura. La metodología aplicada es el Análisis Envolvente de Datos o DEA, técnica no paramétrica de evaluación de la eficiencia productiva que se ha revelado en los últimos años como la más utilizada para la evaluación de la eficiencia productiva en los servicios públicos.eficiencia, outputs, servicios públicos, educación, DEA.

El precio del agua en el sector turístico: claves para la sostenibilidad

La Agenda de Desarrollo Sostenible de las Naciones Unidas (UN, 2015), recoge en su objetivo número 6 la necesidad de garantizar la disponibilidad y saneamiento del agua, así como su gestión sostenible y eficiente. La sostenibilidad en el uso del agua es necesaria, especialmente en áreas con importante estrés hídrico, tal como es el caso de España. Las actividades turísticas son parte de ese complejo entramado de usuarios del agua que ejercen presiones sobre el recurso [1], y que, por lo tanto, requieren de políticas específicas que incentiven un consumo racional del mismo