From 1999 to 2005 the former Red-Green government in Germany enacted a series of ambitious tax cuts that were supposed to boost the German Economy. The article argues that these tax cuts instead of boosting the economy involved major costs. The revenue losses induced substantial expenditures...

Die auch in Deutschland trendmäßig gestiegene Einkommens- und Vermögensungleichheit führt zunehmend zu Forderungen nach steuerpolitischer Korrektur durch höhere Steuern für Wohlhabende und Vermögende. Solche Forderungen begegnen jedoch häufig dem Einwand, die höhere steuerliche...

Fiscal policy in the Euro area is still dominated by austerity measures implemented under the institutional setting of the 'reformed' stability and growth pact, and the even stricter 'fiscal compact'. At the same time, calls for a more expansionary fiscal policy to overcome the economic crisis...