Robert D. Ebel (Deputy Chief Financial Officer & Chief Economist, Office of Revenue Analysis, District of Columbia Government) presents Fiscal Federalism and National Unity at UCLA today as part of its Tax Policy and Public Finance Workshop Series, Here is the abstract:

An important characteristic of many countries is that they exhibit, to greater or lesser degrees, some ‘asymmetry’ in the way in which different regions are treated by their intergovernmental fiscal systems. This paper explores some of the varied extents and manners in which such asymmetrical treatment may help or hinder the maintenance of an effective nation-state, where ‘effectiveness’ encompasses both how effectively, efficiently, and (perhaps) equitably public services are provided throughout the national territory and also the effects asymmetry may have on the very existence of ‘fragmented’ nation-states.