bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ist die Tarifautonomie noch zeitgemäß?
Authors: Franz Wolfgang , Möschel Wernhard , Paqué Karl-Heinz 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The economic policy forum discusses the question of whether the German system of autonomous wage bargaining is still up-to-date. Wolfgang Franz considers two aspects. First, he examines to what extend the existing unemployment rate can be reduced by wage policy. Due to certain forms of unemployment, this can be done only partly by lower real wages. In addition, he shows that it can be rational for employees as well as for employers to agree on wages which are higher than the equilibrium wage. In the second part, he considers the question of whether centralised or decentralised negotiations over wages are more likely to solve the problem of unemployment. Arguments in favour of both options can be found. The paper concludes with some suggestions to make collective agreements more flexible.
Wernhard Möschel compares the German system of autonomous wage bargaining with a cartel agreement which results in prices higher than the equilibrium price. Moreover, the globalisation of markets and new orientations in the international division of labour require more flexible solutions. However, the autonomous wage bargaining is a constitutional right which is rather unlikely to be changed. An agreement by the social partners on common measures such as setting minimum wages lower than the equilibrium wage is also not very likely. The paper thus suggests that employers may undertake unilateral actions such as restructuring their associations. This should be accompanied by specific government measures.
Karl-Heinz Paqué argues that countries with a system of autonomous wage bargaining are characterised by persisting unemployment. This characteristic is the result of both structural changes of the economy and its consequences for the market value of labour. Two mechanisms exist in order to adopt to the different market conditions: a flexibilisation of the agreed wage rate structure or a general restraint in wage bargaining. However, both mechanisms have failed so far due to the lack of willingness by the social partners. Competition by outsiders on the labour market and a political “alliance for employment” could increase employment while keeping the system of autonomous wage bargaining. The paper concludes with stating that in the near future unemployment will be unavoidable.
Nicht-kostendeckende Gerichtsgebühren
Authors: Wein Thomas 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
In Germany, the level of court fees is not cost-covering. Analyzing several welfare arguments to justify not cost-covering fees, only one aspect is conclusive. The benefit of judgments are not only private but also public (positive externality of litigation). It is due to the supreme courts to fill legal loopholes. Therefore, not cost-covering fees are justified in the case of supreme courts. By analyzing not cost-covering fees with the instruments of public choice theory, one can find more plausible reasons: the interest group of lawyers profits from not cost covering fees because the demand for lawyer services increases. Politicians collect their votes without loosing other votes; bureaucrats in the courts have an advantage by increasing their staff. Therefore, in order to reform the current situation, it is necessary to alter the restrictions of these self interested actors.
Eine “fünfte Freiheit” für Europa: Stärkung des politischen Wettbewerbs durch “FOCJ”
Authors: Eichenberger Reiner 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Competition and open markets are the battle-songs of the EU. While they gave birth to the four economic freedoms, political competition has been neglected. Thus, a future European constitution should strengthen political competition by guaranteeing a fifth freedom: Citizens and communities are allowed to found Functional, Over-lapping and Competing Jurisdictions. These FOCJ build on Modern Political Economics. However, similar institutions have existed in European history, and are successful today in the form of U.S. special districts and Swiss functional, democratic and overlapping communities. FOCJ prove to be welfare-increasing, and the counter-arguments not to be valid.
Der neue GATT-Subventionskodex
Authors: Conrad Christian A. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The new Subsidies Code from the Uruguay Round of the GATT includes several improvements. For the first time the various forms of subsidies have been classified, and the respective allowable retaliation measures have been defined. A noteworthy advancement is the ban on subsidies which significantly disadvantage other countries, as well as the reversal of the burden of proof, now the responsibility of the subsidizing country. The dispute settlement procedures were also markedly improved. Sanctions may now be carried out against the will of the disadvantaged party. The main deficiency of international subsidy supervision remains, however, the inability of the GATT-panels to invoke sanctions of their own. Rather they can only empower countries which are injured by such subsidies to invoke retaliation measures themselves. It is therefore questionable on the one hand, if the available methods of retribution - in spite of the newly allowed cross-retaliation - are satisfactory, and on the other hand, if the governments of the affected countries are willing to risk foreign policy conflicts. For this reason the disadvantaged states will still prefer the anti-subsidy investigations to the panel- complaints. Another no less important reason for this preference is that these investigations are subject to national legislation and can therefore be influenced by the state invoking it. Even after the Uruguay Round, national authorities have sufficient opportunity to disadvantage foreign producers within anti-subsidy investigations. Consequently an international competition institution with its own sanction capabilities is still lacking. Such an institution would be better suited to guarantee “fair competition conditions” than the national anti-subsidy investigations under supervision of the WTO.
Gedanken zur Deregulierung des deutschen Apothekenwesens
Authors: Schöffski Oliver 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The German retail pharmacy trade is one of the most highly regulated within the German economy. For example, retail prices and the profit margins of pharmacies are fixed by law. Only pharmacists are allowed to own retail pharmacies, and each pharmacist may own only one retail pharmacy (i.e. there are no chain pharmacies in Germany). Retail pharmacies are only allowed to sell certain goods and services, whilst on the other hand only pharmacies are authorized to sell drugs (with some exceptions). This means that more than 90 per sent of their turnover is protected from the general retailing companies. There are many reasons for this extensive regulation: to guarantee the provision of drugs for the population, to reduce the abuse of medication and to protect the consumer against excessive drug prices, amongst others. However, these reasons need to be examined closely. The extent of regulation has grown over the last 750 years, and it is highly probable that these regulations no longer reflect the requirements of a modern health care system. Therefore, current regulations for retail pharmacies in Germany are being analysed and a proposal for far-reaching deregulation is to be presented. The implementation of these deregulation measures would lead to the more efficient provision of drugs.
Entwicklung einer Finanzkonzeption der Europäischen Union im Hinblick auf eine Aufnahme von mittel- und osteuropäischen Staaten
Authors: Mallossek Jörg 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
In this article a new financing of the EU-budget will be presented. It also takes into account an enlargement of the EU with CEECs. The autor advocates full membership for new members of the EU except for free movement of people. It is also argued that over the medium term, a reform of the CAP will widely reduce expenditures and that the structural policy must be reformed. EU-budget financing is additionally effected by contributions of the members: VAT-payments and GDP-payments. Moreover, there are no EU-taxes or EU-credits allowed. In future, a new revenue of the EU will be ECB profits.
Brauchen wir eine neue Weltwährungsordnung?
Authors: Ohr Renate , Issing Otmar , Thießen Friedrich 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The economic policy forum discusses the question of whether we need a new international monetary system. Renate Ohr argues that various interventionist policy measures such as fixed exchange rates or a tobin-tax are inappropriate in order to avoid high volatility. Instead of a new international monetary system, a co-operative system which is flexible enough to react to disturbances and unequal developments is proposed by the author. This includes a better information basis about national economic policy goals and strategies. The existing “non-system” allows for sufficient flexibility to adjust to changing economic conditions. The role of the IMF should be strengthened by intensifying its function of surveillance and using it more as a forum for international co-operation.
Otmar Issing goes even further than Ohr by rejecting any change to the existing international monetary system. He claims that flexible exchange rates neither had a negative impact on international trade nor on inflation. Furthermore he fears that a reform would result in the adoption of instruments reducing the elasticity of the system and its scope for adjustment. If politicians still demand political action, they should start with disciplining their national policies. In particular, the author suggests that they adopt a more steady monetary policy.
Friedrich Thießen claims that national emotions prevent states from standardising different monetary areas within bi- or multilateral systems. Therefore he suggests a supranational monetary policy which makes it easier for states to give up sovereignty. Such a policy should include the following elements: neutrality towards nationally oriented economic policies, locational neutrality, innovative neutrality, hedge neutrality and profit neutrality. An international body such as the International Monetary Fund should be in charge of the monetary policy.
“Euro”-Währungsblöcke als Alternative zur europäischen Einheitswährung
Authors: Rübel Gerhard 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Due to both several criteria for participating in a European Monetary Union and a fixed schedule the process of monetary integration in Europe is stuck in a dilemma. Watering down these conditions would cause problems concerning both stability and acceptance, whereas giving up the time schedule could postpone the project of a European Monetary Union into the unknown future. However, if the monetary union only starts with a few countries, a multi class society will be the result. Due to several reasons this raises the danger of division and of the end of the whole process of European integration. As a solution to this dilemma a parallel integration into currency blocs is proposed. With an optimal number of these “Euro”-blocs it would be possible to benefit from monetary integration without having to give up the stabilizing effects of different currencies.
Großbritannien – ein europäischer Spielverderber? Das britische Opting-Out aus ökonomischer Sicht
Authors: Nölling Philip 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
With the beginning of EMU there will be only one monetary policy with a single short term interest rate. In order for common monetary policy to be successful EMU member states have to react similarly to monetary signals from the European Central Bank (ECB). Because of its unique sensitivity to short term interest rates, this would not be the case for the UK. If, for example, the ECB would raise the short term interest rates by an amount which is appropriate for countries like France and Germany, the UK might sink into recession. This shows that besides political reasons there is also an economic reason for the UK’s opting-out from EMU.
Entwicklungsoffene versus strukturkonservierende Wirtschaftspolitik - Das empirische Beispiel zweier konträrer Politikkonzeptionen
Authors: Koch Lambert T. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
This contribution analyses the economic characteristics of the South Korean and the Brazilian economies and attributes them to two fundamentally opposed orientations. South Korea’s economic policy can be described as “open to evolutionary processes”. This refers to the combination of a liberal economic framework with state efforts to continually adapt the economic structures to constantly changing external conditions. Brazilian policy, in contrast, is an example of the “structure-preserving” concept. Powerful rent-seeking groups delay the necessary institutional reforms which could create confidence among potential investors. Evidently, the superior performance of an “evolutionary” approach follows from its focus on competitive flexibility in a continually changing economy.
Wege aus der Arbeitslosenfalle – ein Vergleich alternativer Lösungskonzepte
Authors: Jerger Jürgen , Spermann Alexander 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Recipients of public assistance and unemployment benefits face an effective marginal tax rate of (almost) 100%, since these payments decline in a ratio of one by one when own income is earned. The metaphor of an “unemployment trap” describes this labour supply disincentive quite accurately. A negative income tax could overcome this problem, but is considered to be too expensive and to entail some flaws from an allocative point of view. Starting from this critique, we propose a “Targeted Negative Income Tax”, which basically confines the negative income tax to the group of the long-term unemployed. This targeting ensures that the incentives are given to those who need them most, and avoids the massive fiscal burden associated with a general introduction of a negative income tax. The fiscal burden may even be reduced with each long-term unemployed person who is drawn back into the labour market. In this paper, we compare this proposal to some alternative measures created to provide work incentives such as the “Family Credit” and the “Earned Income Tax Credit” introduced in the UK and the US, respectively.
Neue verfassungsrechtliche Vorgaben für die Steuerpolitik – Ordnungspolitische Einordnung und wirtschaftspolitische Relevanz
Authors: Eekhoff Johann , Wehmeier Axel 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The article discusses recent judgements of the German Federal Constitutional Court concerning the German tax system. In a landmark decision from June 26, 1995, the judges not only ruled the former German wealth and inheritage unconstitutionally, but also put forward general rules to prevent excessive taxation. Though this ruling constitutes a further market orientation of the constitutional law, several inconsistencies are criticized by the authors from an economic point of view. However, policy makers have to accept the judgements as new restrictions on tax policy. Regarding the discussion about a German tax reform some of the current proposals appear to be unconstitutional. In order to avoid such conflicts with the law the authors advocate a consumption based tax.
Zur Politischen Ökonomie der Arbeitslosigkeit: Mancur Olson versus Insider-Outsider-Theorie
Authors: Belke Ansgar 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
In explaining persistently high unemployment, Mancur Olson’s logic of collective action and the insider-outsider approach both focus on simular incentive structures of pressure groups. This contribution examines the astonishingly rarely tested hypothesis that both approaches are compatible to be integrated in a broader and widely acceptable basis for overdue labour market reforms. Moreover, a straightforward political economy of reforms is derived from this synthesis. However, a deeper comparison reveals that both models also share a great weakness. They clearly do not incorporate interests common to insiders and outsiders and self-correcting mechanisms in the wake of steadily growing costs of unemployment.
Äquivalenzprinzip und Finanzpolitik: Ein Besteuerungsprinzip (erneut) auf dem Prüfstand
Authors: Hansjürgens Bernd 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The article analyses the potential role of the benefit principle in public finance. Against the background that the benefit principle plays a minor part both in the theory and in the politics of public finance, first the advantages of this principle are traced out. By bringing together both sides of the budget the benefit principle leads to a stronger cost-benefit orientation in the citizen’s preferences and serves as an instrument to curb Leviathan. Given these advantages the arguments against the application of the benefit principle are critically (re)analysed and potential fields of a stronger application are developed. The analysis ends with the design of elements of a “constitutional pact” in order to strengthen the role of the benefit principle in public policy.
Einige Anmerkungen zur Wahl der Reservewährung eines Currency Boards
Authors: Freytag Andreas 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Currency Boards generally are likely to help with introducing credibility and stability if they are organised in a manner to minimise risks. One important aspect is the choice of an appropriate reserve currency. There are two conditions for a currency to be an adequate reserve medium: it should be a hard currency and it should shelter the pegged country from real shocks inside and outside the currency area. A shelter from real shocks can be provided for, if three criteria are met: first, other countries which firms compete with firms from the country that introduces the board should also be pegged to the reserve currency. Second, the structure of production should differ significantly from the reserve country. Third, a high share of foreign trade should take place with the reserve country. Empirical evidence of two countries that recently introduced currency boards, namely Estonia and Lithuania, indicates the relevance of this analysis for the choice of a reserve currency.
Lohnzurückhaltung, Wechselkurs und Beschäftigung - unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Kapitalmarktes und der Handelsstruktur
Authors: Maaß Henrich , Seil Friedrich L. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
In this paper, a critical comparison is made of the arguments within the controversy over the effects of “wage restraint”. The arguments are discussed in the framework of a portfolio theoretical macroeconomic model. Thus, not only is the market for real capital considered, but the importance of intra- vs. interindustrial trade for the results is established. In principle, the optimistic predictions of the German Council of Economic Experts (“Sachverständigenrat”) are confirmed, although they have been generalized and linked to certain preconditions. Finally, there is a supplementary finding: Tobin’s q seems to be more than a match for all the other propositions (such as, “the ability to sell”, the real exchange rate on the basis of unit labour costs, etc.) as an indicator of the competitiveness of national economies.
Die EWU - Beschäftigungsmotor oder Beschäftigungsrisiko?
Authors: Dohse Dirk , Krieger-Boden Christiane , Soltwedel Rüdiger 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The current paper deals with the labour market effects of European Monetary Union (EMU). We compare the EU-memberstates’ susceptibility to asymmetric shocks and their labour market flexibility under status quo conditions. The findings are related to the question which countries are - from a labour market point of view - fit for EMU and which countries should not join EMU from the start.
We then consider different policy scenarios and develop an institutional framework suitable to make EMU a labour market success. Special emphasis is given to the optimal interplay between the relevant agents, i.e. the EU-Commission, national governments, employers and trade unions.
Das Europäische System der Zentralbanken - ein Modell für ein Europäisches Kartellamt?
Authors: Duijm Bernhard 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
For a few years, especially German authorities have shown dissatisfaction over the enforcement of European competition policy, particularly the application of the Merger Regulation. German politicians and above all the President of the Bundeskartellamt (German Cartel Office) propose an independent European competition agency. This article asks whether the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) can be a model for an independent agency consisting of a European Cartel Office (ECO) and national cartel offices. This structure would make it easier to apply the principle of subsidiarity to European competition policy. Because of the differences between monetary and competition policy, it is necessary to modify the regulations concerning the ESCB before adopting them to competition policy.
Politische und Institutionelle Determinanten der Staatsverschuldung
Authors: Wagschal Uwe 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Determinants of public debt and deficits are nowadays considered as central issues of economic and financial policy. Concerning a decreasing capacity to act due to financial restrictions the consequences for governments can be serious. The main research question is: which political and institutional factors are responsible for increasing debt and deficits and which factors rather tend to confine them. Starting with a discussion of theories related to public debt, the paper than examines possible determinants. The focus is on certain institutions such as elections, strong governments, central bank independence or direct democracy. Furthermore, the role of parties and the complexion of governments is analysed. In the centre of interest are western industrialised nations, which are members of the OECD.
Das Gerechtigkeitsproblem in der Sozialen Marktwirtschaft
Authors: Weizsäcker C. Christian von 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
A “Social Market Economy” in the spirit of Ludwig Erhard is quite different from the present day economy which I call the Status Quo Economy. The Social Market Economy is substantially more deregulated, has a much smaller social security system, and a higher rate of innovation. It is argued that a transition to a “Social Market Economy” could raise the income of all income strata. Therefore using the Rawls criterion of justice, the Social Market Economy is more just than the Status Quo Economy, even though inequality is likely to be larger.
Beschäftigungswirkungen von Auslandsinvestitionen: das Beispiel Japan
Authors: Legewie Jochen 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
This article offers an analysis of the domestic employment effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) for Japan between 1991 and 1996. After reviewing the current discussion in and outside Japan, the direct effects of Japanese overseas investment on trade, domestic production and employment are presented and discussed, based on detailed data provided by the MITI. The results show that Japanese FDI had strong positive effects on domestic production and employment by stimulating exports of capital goods nearly equaling negative effects by export displacement and rising imports. Taking into account indirect effects as well as the fact that most FDI does not really substitute exports but takes place only as an outcome of import barriers and a regional shift of location advantages, it is argued that Japanese FDI had a clear positive overall effect on domestic employment so far. The low degree of production abroad by international standards even implies a special need for the Japanese industry to further accelerate the shift of production activities abroad to accelerate structural changes at home that ensure a high level of employment and wages in the long run.