Government Expenditure and Relative Efficiencies: A Case Study of the United Arab Emirates with Application of the Relative Political Allocation Model
This dissertation evaluates the efficiency of general government expenditure of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) relative to other countries. To achieve this, the case study utilized the Relative Political Allocation model (RPA) paired with Analytic Narrative as a method of analysis. Secondary data of the UAE and other countries are obtained from the latest Relative Political Capacity dataset V2.4 (2020). The aim of this case study was two-fold. First, related to the UAE, it sought to identify the mechanisms and historical sources of efficiencies/inefficiencies over time in the UAE government’s allocation of its public expenditure in four key functional areas. After identifying the sources of varying relative efficiencies, a qualitative analysis of the socioeconomic and political factors effecting changes in allocation preferences was conducted. At the end of this study, specific policy adjustments for improving efficiencies in UAE government expenditure are recommended. Second, related to the model, this study explored whether the RPA model is suitable for explaining the intricacies of UAE’s unique case. This research has found that despite its limitations, RPA is a promising model that provides important insights in a case study setting. A step-by-step guide to the application of the RPA model to a case study has been provided for future replication. Future extension of this research as well as future improvement of the RPA model are suggested.
Relative Political Allocation, United Arab Emirates, Economics, Political Science
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