Applied Public Finance and Fiscal Analysis

Dear Colleagues,

Empirical public finance is a rapidly developing field of scientific knowledge that bridges the gap between theoretical public economics and the implementation of public policies in the real world. Following years of multiple pulsating crises, unprecedented fiscal challenges are observed owing to recovery from the pandemic, peak energy prices, local military conflicts, climate change, and demographic challenges. All of these factors require rigorous empirical analysis of the mechanisms of public finance. Traditional public finance theory, although precise in its theoretical foundations, often suffers from empirical failure. The clash of theoretical axioms with the realities of practice is rich in evidence.

This Special Issue of JRFM seeks to push the boundaries of empirical public finance by bringing together cutting-edge research that combines sophisticated econometric methods with new data sources to address fundamental questions in public finance. We are particularly interested in research that employs quantitative and qualitative methodologies, explores new data sets, and provides causal evidence on the effectiveness of fiscal policies, tax reforms, public spending programs, and institutional sustainability and efficiency.

We encourage submissions that address the fundamental questions of public sector economics regarding allocation, distribution, and stabilization through the lens of modern empirical methods. We particularly welcome papers that employ novel identification strategies, exploit unique institutional features, or use innovative data sources to shed light on classic and contemporary public finance issues. We encourage findings about the effectiveness of fiscal policy, supported by solid empirical evidence and sound theoretical reasoning.

This Special Issue seeks the “philosopher’s stone” of empirical public finance—research that successfully combines methodological rigor with policy relevance, providing both theoretical insights and practical guidance for designing fiscal policy in the 21st century based on a balance between governments, businesses, and households leading to a sustainable economic growth.

Prof. Dr. Andrey Zahariev
Prof. Dr. Borislav Dimitrov Borisov
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Risk and Financial Management is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• empirical public finance
• fiscal policy analysis
• tax policy evaluation
• public expenditure effectiveness
• causal inference in public economics
• institutional economics
• behavioral public finance
• fiscal federalism
• fiscal decentralization