Work

Equal Focus on Inequality? Approaches to Distributional Impact Assessment in the National Budget Process Across the EU

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: After four decades of increasing within‐country income inequality in many EU Member States, this study first aims to understand to what extent and how EU Member States make use of distributional impact assessments (DIAs) for budgetary measures. The second aim is to understand the factors that constrain the use of DIA, leading us to propose strategies for how it could be used more widely. To these ends, we perform a desk‐based study of the documents produced in the national budgeting process, which is then followed up with structured key informant interviews with those responsible for producing key budgetary documents in each of the 27 Member States of the EU. We then detail the constraints to performing more DIAs and potential solutions involving actions at both the country and EU levels. This study constitutes the first comprehensive analysis of DIA practices across the EU.

Source: JCMS Journal of Common Market Studies

DOI: 10.1111/jcms.13557

Authors: Nicola Bazoli, Carlo Fiorio, Sonia Marzadro, Jonathan Pycroft, Loris Vergolini

Institutions: University of Milan, European Commission, Joint Research Center, University of Bologna

Language: English

Topic: European Union Policy and Governance

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,970