How Plausible the Predicted Superiority of Private Over Public Investment Still Stands, If Ever?


  •  Benjamin García Páez    

Abstract

This essay aims to test the hypothesis held by the Theory of Financial Liberalisation in the sense that financial resources diverted by non-market forces are inefficiently allocated, ergo, public investment is less productive than private investment. The relationship between public and        private investment and the productivity in both the public and the private     sectors are then analysed in search of empirical evidence to discern the endurance of such hypothesis throughout the changing evolution of the Mexican financial system since 1970 up to 2019. The paper is arranged in four sections. Firstly, some historical financial liberalisation events are put forward. Secondly, theoretical issues concerning the concept    of productivity of the two types of investment are discussed. It also reviews empirical work done on the productivity in less-developed countries. Thirdly, an attempt to measure productivity of both public and private investment in Mexico is made. It then describes the methodology and the estimation results obtained for Mexico are launched. Finally, main conclusions are delivered.



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