The recent accession of eight East European economies to the EU gave the everlasting discussion in Germany about job exports to low cost countries a new boost. What critics overlook is that since 1990 two regions have been integrating that strongly differ in their capital endowments and...

The discussion presently taking place in the large Eurozone economies about the reform of the social welfare state is dominated by two assertions: Western Europe as an investment location is too expensive due to its high tax burden and, second, countless jobs are threatened from low-wage...

In its present form, the Stability and Growth Pact runs counter to its intended effect, since it tends to encourage debt especially in slow-growing economies. This is because of a design fault: very few states simultaneously comply with the 3% ceiling for the budget deficit and the 60% limit for...

In Lisbon back in March 2000, the EU heads of state and government undertook to pursue the strategic objective of turning the Union into 'the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world' by 2010. The imminent mid-term review of the Lisbon Process constitutes an opportunity...

At the EU summit in Hampton Court on 27 and 28 October in discussions of a suitable European economic and social model that could assure sustainable prosperity and help master the challenges of the future, repeated reference was made to the performance of the Nordic member states. Despite - or...

As a result of the financial and economic crisis, the public debt in numerous EU member states has been estimated at well over 60% of gross domestic product (GDP). Several highly indebted member states will not be able to markedly reduce their indebtedness before 2025; they should introduce...