Handbook on the Shadow Economy - Hardcover

`. . . the volume is rich in contents and breaks new ground in several aspects. It focuses on a current and relevant topic and contains many details and references to further studies and research issues. It is also well structured and carefully edited. . . It is hoped that this book gets the same attention in the scientific community and beyond - it's worth it.' -- Hannelore Weck-Hannemann, Jahrbucher fur Nationalokonomie und Statistik `Over a number of years, Friedrich Schneider and his team of collaborators have made an impressive effort to estimate the size of the shadow economy. This volume presents their work on data for the majority of the world's countries and also contains attempts to explain the driving forces behind the size and growth of the hidden economy. It will become a central reference for all economists interested in this aspect of the interaction between the public and private sectors.' -- Agnar Sandmo, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration, Norway

The shadow economy (also known as the black or underground economy) covers a vast array of trade, goods and services that are not part of the official economy of a country. This original and comprehensive Handbook presents the latest research on the size and development of the shadow economy, which remains an integral component of the economies of most developing and many developed countries. The volume explores the driving forces behind the shadow economy and highlights important regional variations. The expert authors address the whole spectrum of issues including tax morale, government institutions, corruption and illicit work. Importantly the book also examines recent progress in how the shadow economy is measured and estimated. This well-documented and authoritative study will appeal to economists and researchers, as well as academics and students in the fields of economics, political science and social science. It will also be of interest to anyone seeking a comprehensive investigation into the workings of the shadow economy.