Minister Position vs Economic Conditions Shapes Budget Control in Ireland's Austerity Era

This study examines intra-cabinet dynamics during budget debates in Ireland.

Data & Methods

Researchers analyzed individual minister contributions and estimated their positions on a latent dimension representing support or opposition to cabinet leadership using text analysis.

Key Findings

Close alignment with the finance minister correlated with larger budget shares, but proximity to the prime minister became more predictive under worsening economic conditions.

Implications

These findings question how effectively governments delegate fiscal authority during severe crises. The results suggest that effective control relies on specific institutional contexts and economic circumstances.