Ahead of German federal elections in September 1998 it became obvious that tax reform would remain on the political agenda. In this context broadening of the tax base plays a crucial role. In any case, the reduction of subsidies is an economic policy topic of persistent concern. The Federal...

In federal systems, the powers and responsibilities must be divided up between central government and individual states in such a way as to enable the center effectively to carry out its duties for the nation as a whole, while allowing the lower levels of government to pursue their own regional...

In Western economies, the concrete design of fiscal federalism is determined by the status the federation grants to regionally comparable economic and social conditions, and to what extent this status is anchored in the constitution. If the political and social acceptance of regional differences...