bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Agrarpolitik der Europäischen Union vor der Osterweiterung
Authors: Eekhoff Johann , Eekhoff Tholen 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
There are three main reasons that call for substantial reforms in European Agricultural Policy: the financial burden on the European economy, development and trade-related issues, and the upcoming eastern enlargement of the European Union. All three factors exert pressure into the direction of abolishing interventions and following the path towards liberalized agricultural markets. However, the opposition against such policies is strong, primarily exercised by agricultural interest groups and member states of the European Union that mainly benefit from the current regulations. The abolishment of agricultural support in the European Union would be one of the most important measures to alleviate the problems for developing countries that have no fair chance to compete in European agricultural markets. Furthermore, by reducing the distortions that are caused by agricultural regulations, economic efficiency would be enhanced substantially. In this respect the European Union is on the right track with the reform based on the “Agenda 2000” and further changes in the “Midterm Review” that was adopted in July 2002. All support measures are supposed to be turned into direct payments. Yet, a great number of distortionary measures is reintroduced through the back-door under the title of rural development. Since these measures do not fall under the budget constraint that has been imposed on all other forms of support, they provide a vast playing field for politicians. The need to liberalize agricultural markets has become crucial due to the eastern enlargement of the European Union that will increase agriculturally utilized land by approximately one third. Granting the full support to the new member states would mean expanding a system that suffers from various illnesses. For these reasons there is an urgent need for substantial reforms that liberalize agricultural markets in the European Union.
Zu Reformoptionen der Gemeindefinanzen
Authors: Döring Thomas , Hansjürgens Bernd , Hey Johanna , Donges Juergen B. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
In their paper Thomas Döring and Bernd Hansjürgens refer to the reform discussion of local public finance in Germany. Against the background of rising expenditures and lower revenues a fiscal reform on the local level is absolutely necessary. Such a reform should focus on both the expenditure and the revenue side of the local budget. With respect to expenditures a new division of functions between the upper governmental levels and the local level should be taken into account. With respect to revenues reforms are needed that facilitate communities’ ability to raise revenues from own sources. It becomes apparent that the current political discussion which focuses on the centralisation of the costs of unemployment and on the reform of the local business tax is much too narrow to solve the fiscal crisis on the local level.
Johanna Hey argues that the upcoming reform of the municipal finance system gives the chance to overcome the sufficiently well-known problems of the German local trade tax. Although the starting point of the discussion is the deficit of the municipal budgets the author calls for a conceptual framework. The sole goal of raising additional revenue will not lead to a rational tax system. As other taxes local taxes have to be designed in accordance to the ability-to-pay-principle, since it is impossible to define a tax base equivalent to the cost of public goods. The author compares the three recently discussed models. From a systematic and constitutional point of view the abolishment of the trade tax and implementation of a local surcharge to the personal and corporate income tax is the most favourable option for reform.
Juergen B. Donges recommends a complete overhaul of local taxation systems according to the principles of pay-as-you-go and of allocative neutrality. Ideally, local public revenues should be mainly based on charges levied directly on users of local public services. But the nature of some public services make taxes a better source of revenues for municipalities. The author suggests three kinds of taxes: First, the already existing real property tax (Grundsteuer) based on an assessment closer to market values. Second, a new local corporation tax (“allgemeine Betriebssteuer”) will be introduced; it would replace the existing trade tax on income (Gewerbesteuer) which is fundamentally deficient. Third, a new local personal income tax (“allgemeine Bürgersteuer”) will be imposed, intended to replace federal income tax transfers for local authorities and local shares of value added tax. In any case, a reform of local taxation should not lead to higher overall taxation. Each local government should freely choose its own levels of taxation, meaning efficiency gains from competition of public services at a local level.
Transformationsprozesse aus Sicht der evolutorischen Ökonomik
Authors: Wrobel Ralph Michael 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The transformation of former socialist economies in Central and Eastern Europe is a still continuing long-term process. Since explanations and political recommendations by mainstream economics have not been sufficient, research on methodology and theory of transformation is necessary still today. In this paper an evolutionary approach will be introduced to explain the phenomenon of “transformation” as borderline case of long-term institutional evolution. In concrete it will be described as adaptive-imitative step within institutional competition caused by “exit” and “voice” in the Hirschman sense, initiated by political entrepreneurs, channelled by cultural restriction and path dependency and - as consequence of the evolutionary approach - independent of scientific valuation.
Zur Reform der EU-Agrarpolitik: Umbau statt Abbau von Subventionen
Authors: Schrader Jörg-Volker 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The paper discusses the decisions on the reform of the CAP from June 2003. The decisions focus on the decoupling of the direct payments to farmers from production. This will reduce production incentives and thereby improve the allocation of resources. However, payments to farmers will hardly be reduced in total but rather partly be redirected towards rural development policies, environmental policies and animal health measures. Since a consistent rationale for permanent payments to farmers is missing, payments should be stopped completely. The increase of financial support for rural development is the wrong way, since most measures, again, are interventions in favour of farmers. The latest WTO-Agreement on the continuation of the Doha-Round will put additional reform pressure on the EU.
Vorschläge für eine konstitutionell begründete Rentenreform
Authors: Voigtländer Michael , Henman Barbara 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
For decades, economists have been urging politicians to reform pension systems, but in many cases the proposals have been rejected by referring to unresolved distributional aspects. This dilemma can be avoided by using the concept of constitutional economics, which allows us to address the issues of efficiency and justice at the same time. We conclude that a society behind a veil of uncertainty would settle for a compulsory pay-as-you-go pension system which provides a minimum pension. However, to avoid the system being undermined by free-riding (due to wrong expectations regarding the returns to investments on human capital), such a benefit would be granted according to the individual contribution to the accumulation of human capital. In addition, everyone would be obliged to save individually to secure a minimum pension.
Hinaus aus der Selbstblockade – Ziele und Wege zur Reform des Förderalismus
Authors: Hrbek Rudolf , Rosenfeld Martin T.W. , Schick Gerhard 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Rudolf Hrbek summarizes the arguments for the project of reforming German federalism. He describes the positions adopted at the beginning of the work of the Reform Commission set up in fall 2003 by the federal government and the state governments respectively. The Commission ended with a failure; there were some reform proposals in single issues, but no comprehensive reform proposal. His article tries to identify reasons explaining the failure. Hrbek recommends a new procedural approach: instead of the Reform Commission composed by members who as office or mandate holders would be affected directly by reform measures, a Convention should be established composed of a smaller number of members (representing a broader range of actors: e.g. local level, Land-Parliaments, elder statesmen). A broad mandate should enable the Convention to elaborate a reform proposal as package deal which the two houses of Parliament would then have to decide on finally. A major political function of the Convention would be to generate a broad debate on basic features of a federal system and in the meaning of “unity in diversity”, as a prerequisite for modernizing German federalism.
Martin T. W. Rosenfeld states that for more than fifty years, there had been many attempts to reform the German system of cooperative federalism and to reduce the power of the federal level of government. But, so far, no one of these attempts had been successful. In 2004, the “Commission on the Modernization of Cooperative Federalism” had worked out a proposal for reforming intergovernmental relations in Germany. Rosenfeld points out that from the view of the theory of fiscal federalism, this proposal may be regarded as a step in the direction of more efficiency – but just as a very small step. Unfortunately, the decision-makers of the federal and the state level of government did not come to an agreement on the proposed reform. With regard to the current distribution of costs and benefits which arise for the decision-makers from the existing institutions of cooperative federalism in Germany, this result is not surprising for him. In his opinion an agreement on reforming intergovernmental relations is only likely to be achieved if relevant external changes will take place.
Gerhard Schick emphasizes that one of the weaknesses of the commission was that excessive debt of jurisdictions was not seen as one of the core problems of German federalism, even though the debt burden might endanger the very existence of at least some of the states. This omission reflects both individual interests of participants in the commission and the fact that neither proponents nor opponents of competitive federalism put forward convincing and politically viable solutions. According to him, a new reform will need proposals to overcome the debt problem that avoid raising fears of tax competition and that reflect the asymmetrical character of German federalism.
Das Europäische Emissionshandelssystem und seine Umsetzung in Deutschland: Eine kritische Betrachtung
Authors: Jasper Jörg , Twelemann Sven 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The European carbon emissions trading system has become operative on January 1st, 2005. By its decision to implement the world′s largest system for tradable emissions permits the EU started an impressive experiment. While emissions trading systems already exist elsewhere (cf. Ellerman et al., 2000), the EUsystem′s dimensions and complexity are unique in the world. European policy makers deserve respect for their willingness to find a market solution to the EU′s problem of having to comply with its emissions reduction obligation within the framework of the Kyoto Protocol. Nevertheless, the European Emissions Trading Scheme is also an example for the implementation of an excellent textbook-idea being hampered by obstacles occuring in real-life politics. In this paper we discuss major problems of the European Emissions Trading Scheme both from a theoretic and a practical point of view.
Thema: Zur Einbindung der Kapitalbesteuerung in ein rationales Steuersystem
Authors: Homburg Stefan , Rose Manfred , Zöller Daniel , Genser Bernd 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
In the paper of Stefan Homburg recent proposals for capital income tax reform are considered. The analysis focusses on German taxes, but experiences from abroad as well as the European Savings Directive are also taken into account. Given the present complexity of capital income taxation, the crucial question is whether or not Germany should adopt a dual income tax. After considering questions of distributive justice, tax yield, efficiency, and compliance, the article advocates in favour of a comprehensive income tax, combined with a strengthening of tax audit, and rejects the idea of a dual income tax.
Manfred Rose und Daniel Zöller state that the taxation of interest-adjusted income from capital means that tax is levied only on the part of income generated by the investment of savings capital that exceeds a normal market rate of interest. As enterprise profits also constitute capital income, interest adjustment (i.e. allowance for corporate equity) here means that a normal market rate of interest on equity capital can be deducted as a business expense. In the following article Rose and Zöller assess the future prospects for such a form of taxation of income from capital by considering its advantages over the comprehensive taxation of capital income in accordance with the traditional concept of income taxation. Furthermore, in order to create as quickly as possible a favourable tax environment for investments at locations in Germany, they present the outlines of a transitional model for the taxation of interest-adjusted income from capital.
From Joachim Genser’s point of view the main problem is that taxing capital income at a flat rate contrasts with progressive income taxation of comprehensive income under the ability-to-pay principle. He argues that the dual-income-tax principle is well founded in the theory of taxation and thereby provides a justification for schedular taxation of capital and labor income as well as for combining proportional capital taxation and progressive labor taxation. Finally, besides the attractive features of a dual income tax, he also addresses the problems of dual income tax administration and its social acceptance.
Die Ursachen der transatlantischen Produktivitätswachstumsunterschiede
Authors: Besch Rudolf , Zimmermann Guido 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
This paper gives a survey on the causes of the divergence in productivity growth rates between the U.S. and Europe in the last 15 years. It is shown that Europe’s lag in productivity growth can be traced to relative lower productivity growth in the service sector. This is due to over-regulated goods, capital, land, and labor markets. Although there is a consensus that in the long run no relationship exists between productivity growth and labor market performance, in terms of policy, well-specified labor market reforms are recommended to increase productivity growth in Europe. For labor market reforms are a necessary complement for productivity-enhancing product market reforms.
Ausgestaltungsvarianten und ökonomische Konsequenzen einer 4. Hürde für die Erstattung von Arzneimitteln
Authors: Sundmacher Torsten , Jasper Jörg 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
In this paper we examine different forms of a 4th hurdle for the reimbursement of pharmaceuticals, i.e. an economic evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of pharmaceuticals. This instrument is aimed to organize the decision on the reimbursement of pharmaceuticals more efficiently than it is currently the case in the German health care system where the market authorization of the product is normally sufficient for a product to be included into the benefits catalogue. Also the arrangement of the reimbursement price is economically problematic. Obviously, the way the instrument is designed is of paramount importance for the efficiency of a 4th hurdle. There are a lot of variations imaginable which yield very different results. In addition, the usefulness of the 4th hurdle must be assessed before the background of relevant politically enforceable alternatives. In this respect a properly arranged 4th hurdle is an improvement compared to the status quo. Indeed, it is for sure not the best conceivable regulation design for a liberalized pharmaceutical market in a statutory health insurance system.
Institutionelle Alternativen in der Europäischen Union: Das Beispiel des Stabilitäts- und Wachstumspaktes
Authors: Ohr Renate , Schmidt André 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The Stability and Growth Pact is one of the constituent pillars of the European Monetary Union. Though, meanwhile it is obvious that it will not be able to limit fiscal deficits of the member states. For this reason in this paper Coase′s thinking in institutional alternatives is applied to find a better way to increase the incentives for more fiscal stability. We present and discuss tradable deficit permits comprising market-orientated incentives for fiscal stability. It is shown that tradable deficit permits are superior from a politico-economical view as well as with regard to allocative efficiency.
Vom Umlage- zum Kapitaldeckungsverfahren in der Krankenversicherung
Authors: Eekhoff Johann 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Health care systems desperately need efficiency and demographic stability. Otherwise contributions will increase rapidly and health services will deteriorate. A promising way is to transform the pay-as-you-go insurance system into a capital-funded system. Capital-funded systems are robust towards demographic changes, and they employ competition to increase efficiency on the basis of market prices and risk-adjusted premiums. The critical question whether a transition of the system is feasible can be answered positively.
The transition to a capital-funded system is feasible within a very short period of time and without additional costs.
Implizite Staatsverschuldung, Strukturreformen und Europäischer Stabilitäts- und Wachstumspakt
Authors: Fuest Clemens 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The public debt rules of the European Stability and Growth Pact limit explicit debt but neglect the implicit debt embodied in pay as you go social insurance systems. This does not only imply that the pact fails to take into account the consequences of implicit debt for the sustainability of public finances. It is also possible that a member state violates the pact by transforming implicit into explicit debt in the context of social security reforms, without changing the overall sustainability of its public finances. The pact does include special rules for taking into account reforms of social insurance systems. But these rules are only partly appropriate.
Eine effiziente vertikale Verteilung der Exekutivkompetenzen bei der Regulierung von Telekommunikationsmärkten in Europa
Authors: Haucap Justus , Kühling Jürgen 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The present paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of centralising regulatory competencies in the European telecommunications sector. As we demonstrate, political economy suggests that an over- rather than an under-regulation of telecommunications markets has to be expected. This tendency has been strengthened by the allocation of competencies under the new regulatory framework which endows the European Commission with far reaching veto rights under the so-called article 7 procedure. In order to delimit the risk of over-regulation through institutional safeguards, it should be easier for regulators to deregulate than to regulate a market. Current suggestions and ambitions by the Commission to extend its veto right or to even establish a European regulator for telecommunications should be dismissed. Instead, we suggest limiting the Commission’s veto rights to (a) markets, in which regulation creates significant international externalities and (b) cases, where national regulators do not move into the direction of deregulation. If, however, a national regulator decides to deregulate a market, the Commission’s ex ante veto right should be abandoned (but ex post intervention by the Commission still be possible) in order not to hamper deregulation which tends to be the desired result, in principle.
Kleine Bundesländer – Achillesferse des Föderalismus?
Authors: Berthold Norbert , Fricke Holger , Müller Andreas 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
In this article we examine whether or not the small size (in terms of population) of some German Laender (states) is harmful. The economic theory of federalism forms the ground on which we present empirical evidence, focusing on our own results for the German Laender. We find evidence that political decisions on federal level instead of Laender level cause preference costs, and so do decisions in big or merged Laender. On the other hand, economies of scale as an assumed advantage of big jurisdictions obviously do not influence the economic outcome very much. We do not find indications for strategic behaviour due to external effects either. Nonetheless, if external effects are regarded as a problem concerning “Stadtstaaten”, they should rather be internalised by horizontal negotiations than by other instruments such as vertical payments or mergers between Laender. Hence, mergers of Laender do not seem to be a necessary precondition for decentralisation, which in turn is advisable as our results show.
Gouvernementalität der Partnerschaft – Eigenschaften einer sozialpolitischen Regierungskunst
Authors: Sack Detlef 
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung
Im Beitrag werden die Governance-Debatte, ihre Konkretisierung durch das Leitbild des „aktivierenden Staates” und die konkrete Form kooperierender Leistungserbringung mit Hilfe des Foucaultschen Konzepts der Gouvernementalität als eine Regierungskunst der Partnerschaft untersucht. Auf Grundlage von Ratgeberliteratur zu öffentlich-privaten Partnerschaften werden die entsprechenden Deutungen der Wirklichkeit und Machtverhältnisse, die Anrufungen zur Selbst-Führung, die Neuvermessung der Grenzen zwischen Staat, Markt und Gesellschaft sowie die Reflexion über das Regieren vorgestellt. Im Rahmen einer Kontextualisierung werden eine kooperationsorientierte Subjektivierung die Herstellung politischer Loyalität durch Kollaborationsangebote und die räumlich begrenzte Integration sozialpolitischer Akteure als entsprechende Charakteristika identifiziert. Damit verhält sich eine Regierungskunst der Partnerschaft zu neoliberaler Subjektivierung zugleich komplementär wie eigenständig und markiert eine besondere Form sozialpolitischen Regierens.
Aktivierungspädagogik statt wohlfahrtsstaatlicher Dienstleistung?
Authors: Kessl Fabian 
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung
Aktivierungspolitische Strategien bestimmen seit einigen Jahren die bundesrepublikanische Sozialpolitik. Eine zentrale 'Rolle spielt dabei die pädagogogische Re-Formatierung bisheriger Vorgehensweisen: Staatliche Unterstützung wird pädagogisiert. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird diese Entwicklung am Beispiel der bundesrepublikanischen Kinder- und Jugendhilfe illustriert. Damit wird deutlich, dass aktivierungspolitische Strategien keineswegs, wie oft angenommen, auf den Bereich der Arbeitsmarktpolitik und der damit verbundenen (Jugend-)Berufshilfe beschränkt bleiben. Vielmehr durchziehen aktivierungspädagogische Strategien verschiedenste sozialpolitische Felder. Betrachtet man insbesondere die Soziale Arbeit, so fällt auf, dass sie aktivierungspolitischen Strategien nicht nur ausgesetzt ist, sondern vielmehr selbst aktiv solche veränderten sozialpolitischen Maßnahmen vorantreibt. Eine kritische Soziale Arbeit als Alternative z» einer solchen „Aktivierenden Sozialen Arbeit“ müsste sich dagegen als Teil einer kritischen Sozialpolitik explizit politisch positionieren.