Investments in Russian online education (2016-2018)

The subject of this research is investments in development of online education in Russia. The object of this research is online education in the current conditions of digital economy. The author analyzes the dynamics of investments in capital assets and federal expenditure over the period from 2016 to 2018. The growing role of online education on the Russian education market is indicated. Analysis is conducted on the increased costs of education development. The conclusions are formulated on need for attracting private investments in online educational projects, as well as active development of public-private partnership. It is underlined that although federal expenditure (investments) on education is increasing, it is clearly insufficient and requires attraction of private investments through development of public-private partnership. The following conclusions were made: 1) the government develops mechanisms of public-private partnerships; 2. Only regional investment funds remain in Russia; the Investment Fund of the Russian Federation no longer exists, since its creation on the federal level was not justifiable; 3. Russian education increases its rating on the international level, which influence the development of higher education in the Russian Federation along with export of education; 4. Internet usage among Russian population is uneven. The scientific novelty consists in the attempt to determine the trends in export of Russian education.

So many controls; so little control: The case of Isaac Henderson, Navy Agent at New York, 1861-4

The experience of one man, Isaac Henderson, provides the lens through which this study examines the operation during the Civil War of the federal expenditure control system of the USA. This system’s requisitioning, disbursing and auditing activities cannot be disentangled from the patronage system and profiteering that inevitably accompany war. Surging activity levels brought on by the war only aggravated the existing weaknesses. Rigidities, redundancies and formalities within the Treasury Department delayed disbursement processing and the subsequent auditing of those disbursements. Clerks who approved disbursements also audited the same disbursements. The focus on appropriation accounting — rather than on information for planning and control purposes — reflected the view that controls existed primarily to assure Congress and the public that money was spent in conformity with laws and regulations. Improper charges were sometimes intentionally placed against appropriations with available balances. Thus the most significant contribution of the federal expenditure control system may well have been to help legitimize wartime spending to Congress and the American people.

Can Public Choice Theory Explain the U.S. Budget Surpluses of the 1990s?

Rapid U.S. federal expenditure growth and budget deficits became commonplace during the second half of the twentieth century. Public choice models explained this by continual special interest group pressure for spending, rationally ignorant voters, and shortsighted politicians finding deficit financing attractive. However, the late 1990s saw budget surpluses and a slowdown in government expenditure growth. This paper uses public choice theory to explain this turn of events. I find that a slowdown in U.S. interest group activity growth is responsible for this shift.

Can Public Choice Theory Explain the U.S. Budget Surpluses of the 1990s?

Rapid U.S. federal expenditure growth and budget deficits became commonplace during the second half of the twentieth century. Public choice models explained this by continual special interest group pressure for spending, rationally ignorant voters, and shortsighted politicians finding deficit financing attractive. However, the late 1990s saw budget surpluses and a slowdown in government expenditure growth. This paper uses public choice theory to explain this turn of events. I find that a slowdown in U.S. interest group activity growth is responsible for this shift.