EU-Pläne für einen CO2-Grenzausgleich

Wirtschaftsdienst - Das CO2-Grenzausgleichssystem der EU kann die Verlagerung der Produktion bzw. von Emissionen in Drittländer nur zum Teil verhindern. Es wird sehr hohe Kosten verursachen,...     

Plädoyer für einen Ersatz der Grunderwerbsteuer

Since Germany reformed its federal structure in 2006, federal states have been able to set their own rates of real-estate transfer tax. This limited tax autonomy at state level has resulted in a rate increase to 6.5%, which suggests that a narrow tax base is being exploited for purely fiscal purposes. The weaknesses of the real-estate transfer tax can be eliminated by integrating it into value-added tax. States’ lost revenue can be offset by increasing their share of value-added tax. The resulting horizontal revenue shifts between federal states are an advantage compared with today’s unjust tax burden differences.     

Feste Benzinpreise für einen Tag — Mehr Preiswettbewerb durch die 24h-Regel?

The German Cartel Office’s recent study of retail gasoline markets provides strong evidence of an oligopoly in which the major suppliers coordinate pricing strategies and achieve supracompetitive prices. Competition law enforcement does not provide effective tools to improve market outcomes. We examine the potential benefits of a regulatory framework that would require gasoline suppliers to announce at a specified time their prices for the following day and prohibit price changes during a 24-hour period. Such a 24-hour rule could complicate coordination and lead to lower prices, although it cannot be ruled out that the oligopolists would adjust and develop new coordination strategies.     

Richtungswechsel in den USA — Folgen der neuen Präsidentschaft für die Wirtschaft

Under US President Donald Trump, it can be expected that large tax cuts will be passed and public expenditure will be slightly limited. He correctly identified US deindustrialisation as one of the economy’s core problems. His proposed policy platforms, however, are unpredictable and most likely harmful for the US and world economy. Even more importantly, the new government repeatedly clashes with national and multilateral institutions and thereby challenges the heart of democratically based capitalism. At present, it is still open if Donald Trump’s Executive Orders on trade measures will be backed by the US Congress. In any case, the new US administration is obviously abandoning the general principle of free trade. But the announced changes in US trade and exchange rate policies are less of a fundamental break than is often argued, because cooperation in international economic policy has always been limited and unstable. Beyond trade policy, it seems to be the intention of the new US government to fundamentally change the course of the country with regard to the financial markets. With regard to its monetary policy, the administration’s current position is marked by its inherent inconsistency. However, the new government has several channels through which to influence and fundamentally change the working of the Fed in order to make it more obedient to its goals.     

Bundesfinanzierung für Berlin — ein Patentrezept für den Finanzausgleich ab 2020?

The federal states Bavaria and Hesse have demanded a change in the system of financial equalisation among the German federal states. One of their demands is that Berlin, as the German capital, should not receive payments from the fiscally strong federal states but rather directly from the federal government. But there are no strong arguments for such a regulation, and it would be contradictory to the constitutional rules on public finance. Moreover, there are additional objections both from a financial and a political point of view which indicate that the proposal by Bavaria and Hesse will not be successful.     

Airbus gegen Boeing vor der WTO: Zeit für einen Legal-Case-Manager

The WTO has been dealing with the Airbus-Boeing dispute for more than ten years. Both parties continue to blame the other side for their unfair financing methods. This seemingly never-ending dispute not only ties up the resources of both aircraft manufactures but also negatively influences the reputation of the WTO and impairs its ability to act as an effective dispute settlement forum. To resolve this case — the biggest and most complex one that has ever reached the WTO — a legal case manager should assist the parties in either complying with the specifications made by the appellate body or in reaching a negotiated settlement.     

Es gibt weiterhin ökonomische Argumente für einen öffentlichen Rundfunk

Recent economic literature criticises the size and mandate of public broadcasting in Germany. Technological progress has changed the methods of producing and distributing broadcasting content. Traditional broadcasting and print media have converged in a digital environment. Some of the classical arguments for publicly funded broadcasting have become invalid. This article argues that the converging media markets are nonetheless characterised by ongoing market failures, mostly because of positive external effects created by public value content. Markets will underprovide such content, which is why they should be publicly funded. We discuss the scope and form of public broadcasting and conclude that there are still economic reasons for dedicated public service broadcasters to exist.     

China: Globales Leitbild für Wachstum und Fortschritt?

Ohne Zusammenfassung Carsten Herrmann-Pillath ist Academic Director der Sino-German School of Governance an der Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.     

Schuldenerleichterungen für Griechenland — ein Überblick

The article provides an overview of debt waivers by private and public debt holders during the Greek financial crisis and the three assistance programmes. Greece’s advantages add up to around 280 to 298 billion euros. The burden, in the form of reduced annual payments, is carried by the debt-holding countries and amounts to about 206 to 224 billion euros, the private sector’s share being roughly 70 %. Nevertheless, liability shifted from the private sector to rescue funds. Therefore, the aforementioned additional debt relief will primarily strain the countries that pay for the bail out and the ECB.     

Besserer Schutz für Wistleblower

Unternehmensinteressen kontra freie Meinungs?u?erung — Wer Missst?nde bei seinem Arbeitgeber anprangert, darf nicht ohne weiteres gekündigt werden. Das entschied jetzt der Europ?ische Gerichtshof für Menschenrechte im Falle einer Berliner Altenpflegerin und best?tigte damit auch die ethische Verantwortung von Pflegenden.     

Ein Grundeinkommen für Kinder

Children in Germany are disproportionately threatened by poverty. And despite the favourable macroeconomic situation, families rely increasingly on social assistance. The federal government wants to increase additional child benefits and reduce the marginal transfer withdrawal rate, which will increase the marginal burden on the middle class. To solve this dilemma, this article suggests increasing child benefits to approximately 400 Euro. The transfer withdrawal rate and the burden on small income families would decrease and administrative expenses would go down. The article also discusses the effects on income distribution, labour market incentives and fiscal policies.     

Vorratslager für Seltene Erden: Eine Aufgabe für die Wirtschaftspolitik?

Im Zentrum der aktuellen Debatte um die chinesische Exportverknappung bei den Metallen der Seltenen Erden steht die Sorge einer strategischen Abh?ngigkeit mit daraus entstehenden Wettbewerbsnachteilen für die europ?ische Wirtschaft. Entsprechend werden Forderungen nach einer industriepolitischen Antwort laut. Die dabei diskutierten Rohstoffvorratslager k?nnen dazu beitragen, extreme Preissteigerungen abzufedern und Zeit für eine Reaktion des Angebots au?erhalb Chinas zu gewinnen. Allerdings sollte sich die Wirtschaftspolitik auf die Koordination bei der Einrichtung solcher Vorratslager konzentrieren und die Finanzierung der Industrie überlassen.     

Eine Investitionsagenda für Deutschland

Wirtschaftsdienst - Der Koalitionsvertrag von Union und SPD enthält erste Schritte in Richtung einer Ausweitung der öffentlichen Investitionen in Bildung und Betreuung, Wohnungsbau und...