This paper investigates the impact of the intensity of political competition on the leviathan behavior by political incumbents. Using panel data from German municipalities, we test whether the relative political strength of parties in local councils influences the spending behavior of...

In this paper we present three simple theoretical models to explain the influence of the possibility to make non-binding announcements on investment behaviour in public goods settings. Our models build on the idea that voluntary contributions to the supply of a public good might be motivated by...

The paper presents a simple theoretical framework to explain the influence of the possibility to make non-binding announcements on investment behaviour in public goods settings. Our model builds on the idea that voluntary contributions to the supply of a public good might be motivated by some...

The objective of this paper is to analyze whether successful environmental policies spread across geographical space. We examine the existence of such environmental spatial policy spillovers using the example of wastewater treatment in Mexican municipalities. Untreated wastewater is a key...

We have developed a computerized version of Charles Holt’s classical market game that can be used even in classes with a large audience. The Pit market game gives students intuitive access to the interaction of supply and demand in real-world markets. Even though trade can take place at...

Gewählte Lokalpolitiker befinden sich häufig in einem Zielkonflikt: Einerseits wollen sie verantwortungs - volle politische Entscheidungen treffen. Andererseits haben Mandatsträger auch ein Wiederwahlinteresse. Beide Ziele können vereinbar sein; mitunter sind sie aber nicht in Einklang zu...