Gema Lax Martinez (Economics Seminar Series) | Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche

Gema Lax Martinez (Economics Seminar Series)

11 aprile 2022 12:30 - 13:30
Luogo: 
Aula 20, Via dei Caniana
Online
Relatore/i: 
Gema Lax Martinez (UNIL - Université de Lausanne)
Seminari di dipartimento
Persona di riferimento: 
Marcello Puca, marcello.puca@unibg.it
Strutture interne organizzatrici: 
Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche

Title: Threat of Taxation, Stagnation and Social Unrest: Evidence from 19th Century Sicily

Author(s): Gema Lax Martinez

Abstract: Taxation may trigger social unrest, as highlighted by historical examples. At the same time, tax incomes could boost state capacity which may in turn foster political stability. Understanding better the a priori ambiguous taxation-turmoil nexus is particularly relevant for low-income countries today -- yet unfortunately any causal evidence on this has been very scarce. We exploit a unique policy experiment in 19th century Sicily to identify with the help of a regression discontinuity design (RDD) the effect of taxation on social unrest. It turns out that it is mostly the threat of taxation that may distort economic investment and ultimately result in higher levels of political turmoil.

Programma: 

In presenza presso Aula 20 (Sede Caniana) e online (link Teams).