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ECONOMY
Goran Petreski
The author is Associate Professor at
the Faculty of Economics, “Ss. Cyril and
Methodius”University
The one who lies,
also steals
Whenever we talk about The immediate reason for this larger, so that the public may easily find out
the state budget, it is not article is the recent beginning how many bombs and rockets are there on
so important whether of the procedure for Budget an American strategic bomber, but there
the budget deficit will revision. Nevertheless, the topic is no way to figure out how many people
be 3.5% or 4%, but the covered is not linked only with are employed in the public administration,
key issue is what the this budget, but it is an old song that has what has been the construction cost for
budget actually shows lasted for years, actually it relates to all the new baroque-style building of the
to us. In other words, the Macedonian budgets in general. Whenever Ministry of Finance or what have been the
key question is: Is the a new budget or a budget revision is being costs for making a bronze horse or lion, the
budget really giving us a reviewed, usually the headlines in the numerous monuments that we find hard to
proper picture about the media are covered with figures about the avoid when walking around. To be honest,
activities of the state? budget deficit, capital expenditures, etc. lack of transparency in the answers related
Then, being occupied with the details, we to money is not a characteristic only of the
all forget the broader picture and too easily politicians, it seems like embedded in our
neglect the more essential issues. Let me be genetic code. We all know what the wealth
clearer. Whenever we talk about the state of Warren Buffet is or what the bonuses
budget, it is not so important whether the paid to Citigroup managers amount to, but
budget deficit will be 3.5% or 4%, but the key we may not know (except through the small
issue is what the budget actually shows to talks in coffee shops) about the wealth of
us. In other words, the key question is: Is Mincho or Sveto, or about the salary of Zivko
the budget really giving us a proper picture and Hari.
about the activities of the state?
So, after this a bit longer digression (typical
It is known that the politicians are not for professors), let us go back to our topic –
very inclined to accountability related the informative value of the Macedonian
to how they spend the money that is not Budget. Like all private firms, the state also
inherited from their fathers or grandfathers has an obligation to keep accounting records
but comes from taxes that are being that should provide a picture of its financial
collected from the people who work hard condition, transactions executed in a certain
in ore mines, textile factories, shops, etc. period of time, cash-flows, etc. Of course,
Of course, this is especially related to the every system of recording (accounting or
Macedonian politicians, who, for example, statistical) is based on certain principles and
in spite of the irreconcilable differences rules; otherwise it would not be a system. In
and mutual intolerance, are incredibly this regard, just as there are international
joined in neglecting and hiding the sources accounting standards and standards
of financing of their parties and election for financial reporting, there is also an
campaigns. Later on, when they capture the international methodology that is related
power, this mafia style secrecy just grows to the state finances. Hence, International
32 November 2015
