Open AccessThe Second-Generation Theory of Fiscal Federalism: A Critical Evaluation
Author(s) -
John Boye Ejobowah
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
perspectives on federalism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.132
H-Index - 3
ISSN - 2036-5438
DOI - 10.2478/pof-2018-0011
Subject(s) - federalism , fiscal federalism , strengths and weaknesses , construct (python library) , point (geometry) , work (physics) , economics , political science , law and economics , law , epistemology , computer science , politics , engineering , mathematics , decentralization , philosophy , mechanical engineering , geometry , programming language
This paper evaluates the second-generation theory (SGT) of fiscal federalism. It spells out the main arguments of the theory and discusses the fiscal architecture of Nigerian federalism with a view to using the case study to work out the strengths and weaknesses of the theory. After arguing that the weaknesses of the theory outweigh its strength, the paper goes on to point out the dangers of using a particular construct of fiscal federalism as a model. It notes that SGT theory is an attempt at reviving and modelling nineteenth century American fiscal federalism as a universal standard.