Public Finance and Tax Equity in the Arabian Gulf Monarchies

Authors

Timothy Mathews, Kennesaw State UniversityFollow

Publication Date

January 2016

Abstract

This study examines notions of public finance equity in the six Arabian Gulf monarchies of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Because of unique characteristics of government expenditures and revenues in these monarchies, many of the standard concepts of public finance (such as the Benefits Principle, Ability-to-Pay Principle, Vertical Equity, and Horizontal Equity) do not provide relevant insights. Consequently, four innovative notions of equity are reviewed and discussed: Within Group Horizontal Equity; Within Group Vertical Equity; Favored Group Horizontal Equity; and Favored Group Vertical Equity. Finally, these four conceptions of equity are applied to a discussion of potential future changes to the existing public financing systems within the countries in this region.

Author Bio(s)

Timothy Mathews is a Professor of economics at Kennesaw State University. He has a PhD in economics from Stony Brook University. His primary areas of expertise are applied game theory, public economics, and industrial organization. His academic research has been published in leading journals such as Economic Theory, Journal of Economics, International Game Theory Review, and Conflict Management and Peace Science.

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