Toward a Comparative Theory of Budgetary Processes

Toward a Comparative Theory of Budgetary Processes

The book is focused on the various budgetary processes through an exploration of different countries including rich and poor nations. Further, the book analyzes the budgetary processes in a number of American states and cities. By taking on a comparative approach of the various budgetary processes across different nations, the book attains a balanced review of the entire process. The process of budgeting is defined as the translation of financial resources into human purposes and is based on the fact that human desires are limitless in a world of limited resources. Budgeting has equal similarities as differences regardless of the place where it is practiced. The role of politics in the budgetary process is also explored with a focus on political structure and culture and their influence on budgeting. The elites manning the established institutions of budgeting have an active role in determining the priorities in the budget. Ultimately, the budgetary institutions in different states and cities vary greatly based on their authority.

The general feeling is that the book attains an excellent balance through a comparative study of the budgetary processes across different countries and states. By combining both rich and poor countries, the chapter attains an all encompassing and broad review of the process. Indeed, the process of budgeting has constants that are evident across all the countries whether rich or poor. In contrast, the process also has differences stemming from different structures and cultures across the political spheres of different countries. The paper provides an accurate definition of budgeting setting the stage for a rigorous analysis of the process itself. It is true that budgeting is necessitated by the very fact that humans have limitless desires in a world where the resources are limited. Depending on a country’s political structure, the developers and executors of budgets may be centralized or devolved to include a large number of players.

It is quite true that the budgetary process is different in different countries and states. However, the basic principles of budgeting and the rationale behind it are similar in almost all countries. Although the book explores the differences and similarities in the budgetary process, the author fails in their emphasis of the principles behind budgeting. It is obvious that an understanding of the budgetary process can only be attained through mastering the complex and extraordinary calculations involved in the process. The general practice is that countries develop current budgets based on previous budgets and a need to make adjustments where necessary. The paper thus manages to explain the overall steps in the process of budgeting through harmonization of the steps in the different countries under study. That notwithstanding, the author tends to lay a bias on the developed countries by insinuating that their budgetary process is much more advanced.

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