Nacionales (ingles)
In recent months there have been some corrections in the external and fiscal deficits. However, the process is complicated due to worsening social tensions and weakening tax collection. Lowering public spending more sustainably will ease the transition to a more stable economy and this will permit to resume growth.
MOREThe IMF expressed concern because tax revenues grow below the projected. This is contradictory given the very high tax pressure of Argentina. The experience of neighboring countries suggests that with less but better-managed public spending, the fiscal deficit can be reduced and the social situation improved.
MOREAlthough it was predictable, the increase in poverty reported by the INDEC generated consternation. As the experience of neighboring countries shows, less opportunism and more professionalism are needed at the three levels and branches of government to achieve better social results.
MORESurprise prevailed given that the crisis has not generated a higher rise in unemployment. The main explanation is that the acceleration of inflation caused a deep loss in the real value of labor costs. This fact, together with the increase in informal jobs, was the rudimentary way by which the labor market adjusted.
MOREThe APRENDER 2017 tests show that state-run schools have worse results than private schools. This implies that poor people have access to an education of lower quality. Improving the management of state-run schools and methods of financing public education could prevent this serious social inequality. (more…)
MOREWomen’s Day calls for reflection on the multiple facets that women´s discrimination take shape. A particularly important one is in the access of women to the labor market. If many poor women who do not work today could do it, poverty could be cut by half.
MOREThe concern about the price of the dollar is a constant in the lives of Argentines. The dollar will stop being a problem the day that Argentina substantially increases its exports. Neighboring countries are achieving this on the basis of exporting much more than Argentina measured in terms of inhabitants.
MOREAccepting that public schools are for the poor and private schools for families with medium and high incomes deepens social fragmentation. It would be more equitable and efficient to give the lower income families the possibility of also choosing a private school with financing and controls of the state.
MOREThe government ordered a reduction of distortionary taxes for certain sectors of production. This is a good sign, but it is insufficient to get out of recession and risky for the goal of fiscal balance. Improving VAT management is the way out of this challenging trade-off.
MOREOnly half of the potential resources are collected with VAT. Therefore, instead of continuing to increase taxes that discourage production and employment, efforts should be concentrated on better VAT administration. To this end, a profound transformation of the tax administration is unavoidable.
MORE