Economic theorists and finance practitioners alike turn to the seminal work of Wallace E. Oates for a systematic statement of the economic principles of fiscal federalism. In this book, Professor Oates provides an overview of fiscal federalism and analyses specific problems in a selection of his most important articles and papers. This collection includes many pieces which are not readily accessible.The papers in this volume constitute a basic reference for current discussion of the evolution both of national fiscal systems and of the fiscal structure of the European Community and other supranational organizations. The range of approaches and quality of argument will ensure that the book becomes a central reference point for the continued discussion of this important topic.