Reform of joint tasks: How far can the federal and state governments disengage? A contribution to the discussion about the new establishment of the German system of public finance
Martin T. W. Rosenfeld
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 91,
1999
Abstract
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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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Components of a municipal finance reform: Trade tax and public assistance – Expert report for the Bundestag group Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen
Thomas Notheis, Martin Junkernheinrich
IWH-Sonderhefte,
No. 1,
1996
Abstract
Die Reform des Gemeindesteuersystems steht bereits seit Jahren auf der politischen Tagesordnung. Mittlerweile haben sich die kontroversen Positionen zwischen Bundesgesetzgeber, Wirtschaft und Kommunen deutlich angenähert. Die weit fortgeschrittene Aushöhlung der Gewerbesteuer und die zunehmende Delegation von ausgabenintensiven Aufgaben auf die lokale Ebene haben die Verhandlungsposition der Städte und Gemeinden geschwächt. Für viele Kämmerer dominiert das fiskalische Deckungsziel, so daß man auch Reformmodelle zu akzeptieren bereit ist, die man lange und mit Gründen abgelehnt hat.
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Are Rural Firms Left Behind? Firm Location and Perceived Job Attractiveness of High-skilled Workers
Matthias Brachert, Sabrina Jeworrek
Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society,
2099
Abstract
We conduct a discrete choice experiment to investigate how the location of a firm in a rural or urban region affects the perceived job attractiveness for university students and graduates and, therewith, contributes to the rural–urban divide. We characterize the attractiveness of a location based on several dimensions (social life, public infrastructure and connectivity) and vary job design and contractual characteristics of the job. We find that job offers from companies in rural areas are generally considered less attractive, regardless of the attractiveness of the region. The negative perception is particularly pronounced among persons of urban origin and singles. In contrast, for individuals with partners and kids this preference is less pronounced. High-skilled individuals who originate from rural areas have no specific regional preference at all.
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