While working on a larger project researching the influence of various political factors on the design and implementation of tax systems in general, Profeta (Bocconi U.) and Scabrosetti (U. of
Pavia) became particularly interested in how they play out in countries that had recently shifted from a planned to a market economy or from autocracy to democracy. They begin by reviewing the
literature on the political economy of democracies, explaining their data and approach, and providing an overview. Then they profile countries in Asia and Latin America and new member states of
the European Union. A final chapter lists all variables and the sources of their data. Annotation 穢2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
