Digitale Spaltung im Zeitalter der S?ttigung

Using Bourdieu??s Habitus-Capital theory and a representative dataset this study shows that social position influences internet use. The study is thus connected to the research about thedigital divide. A secondary analysis of the ACTA 2008 (n?=?7.623, representative of Germans between 14 and 64 years who use the internet) shows on the one hand that there are still gaps in internet usage (gender, generation, and education gap). On the other hand the results indicate acapital gap. Since the accumulation of capital in the internet is connected with education as well as economic status, there is a threat of a downward spiral: Those who have less capital (education, money) gather less internet knowledge. Since cultural capital influences a person??s social position, internet use enhances social inequality.     

Bayerische Pkw-Maut: Ausgangspunkt für ein modernes Preissystem

Horst Seehofer, Bavaria’s prime minister, seems to be close to his objective of implementing a road toll for foreign cars in Germany. As German road infrastructure suffers from large deficits, a new fiscal instrument seems to be inevitable. Thus, Seehofer’s initiative points in the right direction, however, applying a suboptimal vignette model is not the right approach. The opportunity should be used to establish a toll model which creates efficient allocation and fiscal effects. This article sets out three simple principles which allow the implementation of such a system.     

Eurokurs und starre Listenpreise: Gewinnschub für deutsche Autobauer

Eine Euroabwertung wird in der Regel als Chance für die europ?ische Exportindustrie angesehen, ihre Ums?tze zu erh?hen. Dem liegt die Vorstellung zugrunde, dass die Preise für die Exportgüter in Euro ausgehandelt werden. In der Autoindustrie ist die Lage aber anders: Starre Listenpreise in US-Dollar führen zu einem Gewinnschub bei den Autobauern.