International Climate Policy after Kyoto – Economic Challenges Ahead
Wilfried Ehrenfeld
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 12,
2009
Abstract
The signs are increasing that the gain in greenhouse gas emissions since the beginning of the 20th century causes the average global temperature to rise. Limiting the temperature rise to 2°C should at least avoid the worst consequences of global warming. This would require the greenhouse gas emissions to reach their maximum value by no later than 2015 and to be dramatically reduced worldwide from that time until 2050. From the economic perspective, there are a number of important questions: In the first place, how can the initial situation be described in economic categories? Therefore, the emissions should first of all be identified by region and sector and thereupon, the adjustment possibilities are to be outlined. Which costs and which revenues are associated with climate policy? The bandwidth of the estimated damage is between 5% and 20% of global gross domestic product (GDP) annually in the case of unmitigated climate change. These estimates are compared to around 1% of global GDP, which would be spent to stabilize the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. How are the global targets to be distributed regionally and sectorally, and which economic instruments are recommended for this purpose? Obviously, tradable permits are preferred. Here, the initial assignment and the nature of the allocation on the one hand and the tradability on the other play a prominent role. What politico-economic conflicts arise and what recommendations can economists give to solve these conflicts goal-oriented? Finally, what is to recommend in terms of political economy in order to remain credible in particular in the sense of an international climate agreement?
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New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa – Institutional and Local Perspectives. African Development Perspectives Yearbook, Vol. 14
Tobias Knedlik, Karl Wohlmuth, Philippe Burger, Achim Gutowski, Mareike Meyn, T. (eds) Urban, Afeikhena Jerome
,
2009
Abstract
The Volume XIV analyses the “New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa“. Institutional issues and perspectives in designing new growth and poverty alleviation strategies are considered in various case studies (Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Botswana and Tanzania). Other studies deal with institutional problems of resource-rich countries after conflict (Sudan) and with the institutions to enhance environmental protection parallel to economic growth and poverty reduction (Niger). Further studies deal with institutions to bridge the gap between formal and informal entrepreneurial sectors in Kenya and Tanzania. Local issues and perspectives for designing new growth and poverty alleviation strategies are considered in case studies on rural-urban development gaps in Tanzania and on microfinance as an instrument for new growth and poverty alleviation strategies (Tanzania and Eritrea). A study on small farmers in Ghana provides information on the role they can play in value chains. Two studies on Nigeria highlight the local and the sub-regional health and poverty alleviation programmes and the relation to growth. Book reviews and book notes on the theme are part of the volume. This volume builds the foundation for a comprehensive strategy of policy reforms in Africa so as to integrate new growth and poverty alleviation strategies. Complementary to Volume XIV is Volume XIII on “New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa - Interational and Regional Perspectives“. Both volumes are of importance for all those who work in African countries as officials, executives, managers, researchers, and policy-makers, but also for all those who actively support Africa's development concerns at the international, regional, country, local, and project levels. They will experience this Volume XIV and also the complementary Volume XIII as indispensable sources of insight, reference, and inspiration.
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Grenzen des Wettbewerbs im Gesundheitswesen
Ingmar Kumpmann
Sozialer Fortschritt,
2008
Abstract
Many health economists demand more competition in the health-care system. They focus on the competition between the individual health-insurance funds for those who want such insurance as well as on the competition between health-care providers for contracts with the health-insurance funds. However, they neglect the competition between health-care providers for patients; such competition is crucial for medical quality. This latter area of competition is in conflict with the two former ones. The empirical evidence on the effects of competition on cost and quality are also ambiguous. Thus, the mere appeal for „more competition“ does not do justice to the highly complex nature of the health-care system.
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Grenzen des Wettbewerbs im Gesundheitswesen
Ingmar Kumpmann
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 1,
2008
Abstract
Many health economists demand more competition in the health care system. They focus on the competition between sickness funds for insured and the competition between health care providers for contracts with sickness funds. But they neglect the competition between health care providers for patients which is crucial for medical quality. This third field of competition is in conflict with the two former fields. The empirical evidence concerning the effects of competition on cost and quality is also ambiguous. Thus the mere claim for “more competition” does not do justice to the high complexity of the health care system.
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Spillover Effects of Spatial Growth Poles - a Reconciliation of Conflicting Policy Targets?
Alexander Kubis, Mirko Titze, Joachim Ragnitz
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 8,
2007
Abstract
Regional economic policy faces the challenge of two competing policy goals - reducing regional economic disparities vs. promoting economic growth. The allocation of public funds has to weigh these goals particularly under the restriction of scarce financial re- sources. If, however, some region turns out to be a regional growth pole with positive spillovers to its disadvantaged periphery, regional policies could be designed to recon- cile the conflicting targets. In this case, peripheral regions could indirectly participate in the economic development of their growing cores. We start our investigation by defining and identifying such growth poles among German regions on the NUTS 3 administrative level based on spatial and sectoral effects. Using cluster analysis, we determine significant characteristics for the general identification of growth poles. Patterns in the sectoral change are identified by means of the change in the employment. Finally, we analyze whether and to what extent these growth poles ex- ert spatial spillover effects on neighbouring regions and thus mitigate contradictory in- terests in regional public policy. For this purpose, we apply a Spatial-Cross-Regressive- Model (SCR-Model) including the change in the secondary sector which allows to con- sider functional economic relations on the administrative level chosen (NUTS 3).
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Africa – Commodity Dependence, Resource Curse and Export Diversification. African Development Perspectives Yearbook 2007, Vol. 12
Tobias Knedlik, Chicot Eboué, Achim Gutowski, Afeikhena Jerome, Touna Mama, Mareike Meyn, Karl Wohlmuth
,
2007
Abstract
This Volume 12 of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook deals - in the form of country cases and country units - with African countries' state of commodity dependence, their efforts for export diversification, and their vulnerability to crises and disasters. These problems are considered in the context of the continent's abundance of natural resources, especially the strategic oil resources. African countries' high dependency on a few primary export goods is one of the reasons for their vulnerability to conflicts. In this volume of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook, the focus is on the vulnerability of resource-rich, mainly oil-exporting, African countries. Strategies of export diversification, options how to overcome political instabilities that impede investment, and strategies how to work towards reconstruction and sustainable economic and political development are discussed by highlighting examples from various resource-rich countries. It is analysed how these countries can manage to escape from the primary commodities dilemma by pro-active economic policies and especially by solving political conflicts that have arisen from resource rent.
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System change in statutory pension insurance does not solve the intergenerational distribution conflict
Olaf Fuchs
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 16,
2000
Abstract
The present German pension system needs to be reformed. The alternative to the present pay-as-you-go pension system is a fully funded system. This retirement system offers a higher rate of return to the now young. Nevertheless, the paper argues, that a transition to a fully funded system will not solve the fundamental problem of the German pension system, because the hidden debt of the present system would requires a tax rate which equalizes the burden of both systems.
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What can a town achieve today? Integration, urban regimes, and the acceptance of models
Peter Franz
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 56,
1997
Abstract
Since 1990, the date of German reunification, urban development and especially the recovery of inner cities in East Germany has been delayed by several factors including real estate restitution claims, inflexible preservation codes for historic buildings, and the shortage of stores for retailers. This blockade situation has resulted in the quick and intensified development of shopping centres as „inner city substitutes“ on the urban periphery. The combined effect of the factors preventing revitalisation strategies and the newly realised and practised potential for autonomous action by the authorities of smaller municipalities was a severe restriction for the governing capacities of the authorities of the larger cities. in regaining their governance capability city governments are dependent on urban groups joining and supporting public developmental strategies. In accordance with Stone (1993) and Stoker and Mossberger (1994) urban groups active in urban development policy can be described as urban regimes. In Germany three types of regimes can be differentiated. The cities differ with respect to the political strength and the forms of coalition and conflict between different urban regimes. Specific conditions in East Germany have led to a special regime constellation with a powerful „conservation regime“ on the one hand and a vivid „globalisation regime“ on the other hand. This conflicting constellation results in a developmental blockade. The hypothesis is that a third regime type, the „local alliance“, is missing and still has to be created by practices such as city marketing and city management. Only when this regime building process has advanced will new constellations of political coalitions and compromise become possible and be able to reduce governance problems of city government in the long run.
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Electricity producers and consumers in the area of conflict generated by high prices and starting market liberalization
Martin Weisheimer
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 8,
1997
Abstract
Hohe Strompreise stimulieren Eigenerzeugungen, davon profitieren auch die Stromverbraucher. Anhand von Beispielen wird gezeigt, dass sich diese Tendenz in Ostdeutschland besonders äußert. Die Marktliberalisierung übt bereits jetzt einen Druck auf die Strompreise und ihre Bereitstellungskosten aus.
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Hungarian economic policy faces the conflict of stabilization and procuring basic social needs
Werner Gnoth
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 7,
1996
Abstract
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