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Join us at the summit to explore competitiveness, economic growth, and prosperity strategies for small government success. Learn from Hon. Maurice McTigue and discover the keys to effective governance.
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Small Government – Good Government Summit Sponsored by Institute for Economic & Social Studies Slovak Association for a Knowledge Society Bratislava, November 2nd 2010
Governing for Competitive Advantage, Economic Growth & Prosperity Presentation by Hon. Maurice McTigue Mercatus Center George Mason University, USA
Congratulations • I am full of admiration for the achievements of the Slovak Republic since the creation of the Republic just 17 years ago. • Your current efforts are pulling your country back from the brink of economic disaster and in the worst economic climate the world has experienced for 80 years.
Patience • When embarking on creating a MARKET ECONOMY through major reforms there is often pressure to change course, my advice DON’T. • Slovakia is showing signs of recovering more rapidly than other countries in the Euro-zone. Often the hardest part is waiting for results. • The message is Slovakia generally has a good strategy, it is economically sound, it is supported by the financial markets, keep on course despite the impatience of the media, the public and opponents.
Reform Tools Accountability & Transparency • The more open and transparent government activities are to public scrutiny, the more confidence the public will have in government • The greater the transparency of government processes and procedures, the harder it is for bad policy to be implemented. • Transparency is the best protection against corruption
The Prosperity Equation • CAPITAL – JOBS - PROSPERITY • Capital investment leads to • Increased job creation is followed by • Prosperity • Capital migrates to the friendliest environment • Capital and jobs are extremely mobile • The solution: Create the most attractive climate for investment
Why is Economic Recovery Slow? • ANSWER: UNCERTAINTY • Investment is not yet happening in the large economies because the new regulatory climate is uncertain. • As a result, job growth is still slow. • The governments around the World need to act on improving the investment climate. • DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE COURSE NOW!
Ireland’s Results • GDP growth: from 0.4% to 10% pa • Debt: from 118% of GDP to 24% • Unemployment down from 15.7% - to 3.5% • Second highest per capita income in Europe • Population growth from 2.6 million to 3.4 million
Ireland Revenue & Fiscal Results • Revenue results • Personal income tax revenue up 5-fold • Corporate tax revenue up 600% • Capital gains tax revenue up 40% • Deficit of 14% of GDP • Surplus of 5% of GDP • The secret: Grow the economy to solve fiscal problems • How: Attract investment capital
Competitiveness Strategies • Many countries with flat taxes - most in Eastern Europe • Georgia wiped out 85% of regulations/permits • Deregulating labor markets • Dramatically reducing corporate tax rates zero to 10%, removing tax complexity • Government policy is becoming a major competitiveness issue
World Bank, Ease of Doing Business Index, 2007-2010 Note: **Rank from 1 – 183, with first place being the best. A high ranking on the ease of doing business index means the regulatory environment is conducive to the operation of business. The rank from 2010 examines the months between June 2008 - May 2009.
Caution & Encouragement • Keep out of “Think Big” projects • Job Creation schemes – a private company employing people – best job scheme • Tax Reform – Simplify the System • Beware of Government Overload • Do not declare success to early • Change & reform is never finished!
Preventing Future Fiscal Crisis • Independent Auditor General – no more funny accounting • Fiscal Responsibility Act – NZ • Budget Honesty Act – Australia • Code of Fiscal Stability – UK • Government Accountability & Transparency Act – Canada • The Maastricht Treaty – European Community • Financial Transparency Legislation
Brought to you by the Mercatus Center's Government Accountability Project www.mercatus.org