In May 2026, I present my research at the Canadian Economics Association (CEA) 2026 Conference in Vancouver, hosted at Simon Fraser University (SFU). My paper, titled “When Does Government Spending Boost Growth? State Capacity and the Fiscal Multiplier in Developing Economies,” examines how the growth effects of government spending depend on the institutional strength and administrative capacity of the state.

The presentation explores why fiscal policy does not produce the same results across developing economies. It focuses on how government effectiveness, governance quality, and public-sector capacity shape the relationship between resource windfalls, public spending, and economic growth. The study highlights an important policy question: under what conditions does government spending become a real engine of growth rather than a source of short-term instability?

By connecting the fiscal multiplier literature with research on state capacity and resource-dependent economies, this paper contributes to ongoing debates about public investment, development policy, and institutional quality. The findings offer policy-relevant insights for developing countries seeking to transform fiscal resources into sustainable long-term growth.