How do Alesina's ideas apply to the size of government today?
My work on 'The Size of Nations' suggested that larger countries tend to have larger governments, which can lead to inefficiencies and a lower level of public goods provision. This resonates with current debates about the optimal size and scope of government intervention in the economy. Understanding the political forces that drive government expansion or contraction, and their impact on growth and citizen welfare, remains a critical area of inquiry.
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