Portugal: Public Debt and the Democratic Deficit
No. 24 JANUARY 2012
How does a country become almost bankrupt? Why are citizens constantly being asked to make sacrifices? Is there a lasting solution to the problem of public debt? The central argument in this essay is that the problems of public finances stem from the poor quality of democracy. In the first part, we analyse how the current situation is the result of decades-long laxity in budgetary practices. In the second, after a brief outline of the barriers to democracy, some changes in the political and administrative system are suggested, in the sense of greater freedom, transparency and political responsibility, necessary for the revival of democracy and the sustainability of public finances.
Published by FFMS and Relógio d'Água.
2011 edition
How does a country become almost bankrupt? Why are citizens constantly being asked to make sacrifices? Is there a lasting solution to the problem of public debt? The central argument in this essay is that the problems of public finances stem from the poor quality of democracy. In the first part, we analyse how the current situation is the result of decades-long laxity in budgetary practices. In the second, after a brief outline of the barriers to democracy, some changes in the political and administrative system are suggested, in the sense of greater freedom, transparency and political responsibility, necessary for the revival of democracy and the sustainability of public finances.
Published by FFMS and Relógio d'Água.
2011 edition
More details
Dimensions
9 × 130 × 200 mm
ISBN
978-989-8424-49-5
Book available only in Portuguese
Conheça também
