2 out of 3 pensions were granted with special rules

The so-called “privilege” pensions were one of the most controversial issues in the discussion of the Social Solidarity and Productive Reactivation Law. This is one more evidence that the pension system requires a comprehensive regulation which should be made jointly by the Nation and the provinces. (more…)

Inflation is making the fiscal adjustment

The outgoing government reduced primary public spending by 6% of GDP. This was not achieved with a public sector managing strategy but with real public expenditure reductions thanks to increasing inflation. In order to improve the social situation, it is key to stop using inflation as an instrument of fiscal adjustment. (more…)

With Evo Morales the GDP per capita has multiplied by 3

The upheaval in Bolivia generates passionate controversies. This obscures the Bolivian remarkable economic and social performance. Regarding the challenges that Argentina faces, Bolivia’s most instructive lesson is that fiscal discipline is a source of social progress. (more…)

Welfare programs are local governments’ jurisdiction

In response to a worsening crisis, Congress sanctioned the food emergency. This act deepens the misguided approach of considering the welfare programs as a federal function when it is local. In order to stop repeating failures, it is essential that local governments fully assume their responsibilities.   (more…)

To reprofile debt, Uruguay had 10 years of fiscal surplus

As part of the strategy to deal with the crisis, the government proposed a “re-profiling” of its debt, as Uruguay did in 2003. In the Uruguayan case, the key to success was not the debt rescheduling, but the fiscal discipline that came with it and lasted for more than a decade. (more…)

The currency crisis could have been avoided

After the surprising primary election results, the Central Bank did not stop the peso depreciation even though it was in better conditions to do it than in the 2018 crisis. With the dollar stampede, the government tried to compensate by reducing taxes and increasing social spending, adding up more uncertainty to a fragile situation. (more…)

The dollar does not generate poverty, low productivity does

New controversy about the dollar has risen. A high value is associated with social costs, a low value with an imminent economic crisis. The debate is as persistent as it is inconducive. The rightful discussion is how to design public policy to induce productivity increases based on better institutions. (more…)

1.2 million people with double pensions

The claim of former president Cristina Kirchner to obtain two privileged retirements is not an exceptional case. Privileges and duplication of coverage are the rules, not the exception, in the Argentine pension system. Sustainability and equity demand a profound pension reform to bring rationality. (more…)

Universalize the promotion of the knowledge economy

With a broad consensus, Congress passed a law to promote knowledge companies. If the same incentives were applied to the rest of the economy, the positive impacts would be multiplied. For this to happen, it is essential to extend the consensus in Congress in favor of a strategy for the public sector reengineering. (more…)

Unifying taxes it is possible to lower their burden

Lowering the tax burden at the expense of losing public revenue contradicts the zero deficit target. In Córdoba province, the financial and administrative pressures on small taxpayers have been reduced increasing public revenue. This has been obtained by unifying national, provincial and municipal taxes.

(more…)