A contradictory fiscal constitution
The fiscal constitution describes relations between the state and the population involving both taxes and transfers. It includes the institutions enforcing the social contract and thus incorporates various exchange rate regimes, monetary standards and state revenues.
The existence of several redistributive revolutions during the XX century and the political instability observed during most of it did not change the fiscal constitution all that much.
The resilience of public and private interest groups seeking transfers from the state and thereby holding on to the tax base remains from domain revenues to the European structural funds.