Public Budgeting in Context

Chapter TwoBudget Foundations in Selected Countries

When it comes to classifying countries according to their level of development, there is no criterion (either grounded in theory or based on an objective benchmark) that is generally accepted.

—Lynge Nielsen, Classifications of Countries Based on Their Level of Development: How It Is Done and How It Could Be Done

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After reading this chapter, you should be able to

• Understand various ways of measuring and categorizing level of development of different countries
• Distinguish ways scholars and others measure and compare budgeting systems of governments globally
• Compare governance structures and budgeting precepts of sample countries as provided through constitutions and ...