Fiscal Policy in the Competitive Authoritarianism: A Case Study of Malaysia after the Asian Financial Crisis

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24730123
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Politics
• Research Institution: Doshisha University (2014); Fukuoka Women's University (2012-2013)
• Principal Investigator: SUZUKI Ayame 同志社大学, 法学部, 准教授 (60610227)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 開発志向国家 / マレーシア / 競争的権威主義体制 / 財政

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research focuses on the relations between public finance and democracy in a developmental state. In the 1990s, Malaysia was recognised for having succeeded in maintaining fiscal balance and keeping public debt at low level. However, Asian Financial Crisis (AFC) marked a new period when the country sustains budget deficit and has higher public debt than ever. Based on the analysis of public finance and electoral politics, this research argues that the increasing debt and sustaining deficit are due to (i) delayed reform on the public expenditure, which increased significantly after the AFC as pump-priming measures and eventually contributed as political resources of the leaders of the governing party Barisan Nasional on one hand, and on the other, (ii) prolonged revenue reform by the government in fear of losing supports among voters. Delayed expenditure reform results in strengthened sense of resistance against tax raise, making balanced budget even more difficult.

Free Research Field

比較政治学