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Democracy, Society & Business Ethics

The Democracy, Society and Business Ethics research cluster examines the societal conditions for economic success, as well as the normative and institutional prerequisites for a well-functioning democracy and market economy. 

Contact Persons

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Knut Bergmann

Prof. Dr. Knut Bergmann

Head of Communication and the Branch Office in Berlin

Tel: +49 30 27877-110 Knut Bergmann @knut_bergmann
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Matthias Diermeier

Dr. Matthias Diermeier

Managing Director of IW Gesellschaftsforschung gGmbH and Head of the Democracy, Society & Business Ethics Research Cluster

Tel: +49 221 4981-605 Matthias Diermeier
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Dominik H. Enste

Prof. Dr. Dominik H. Enste

Head of Democracy, Society & Business Ethics and Managing Director of IW Akademie GmbH

Tel: +49 221 4981-730 Dominik H. Enste @DominikEnste
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Judith Niehues

Dr. Judith Niehues

Head of Microdata Research Group

Tel: +49 221 4981-768
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Jennifer Potthoff

Jennifer Potthoff

Economist for behavioral economics and business ethics

Tel: +49 221 4981-752
Katharina Werner

Katharina Werner

Consultant and Program Manager at the IW Academy

Tel: +49 221 4981-818 Katharina Werner

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Fiscal Effects of Having Children
IW-Report No. 43 15. October 2026

Fiscal Effects of Having Children

Wido Geis-Thöne

The fiscal effects of children are relevant to various areas of policymaking.

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Event 14. October 2026 Alexander Radunz

Expert Workshop on the Industrial Accelerator Act

The German Economic Institute (IW) and Frontier Economics are pleased to invite you to a rapporteur & stakeholder workshop on the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) in Brussels.

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Universal entitlement, unequal provision: childcare in segregated German cities
External Publication 13. October 2026

Universal entitlement, unequal provision: childcare in segregated German cities

Matthias Diermeier / Jan Engler* / Melinda Fremerey / Leon Wansleben* in Journal of Social Policy

One mechanism driving persistent inequalities in childcare provision, despite rising investments and a substantial expansion of childcare facilities, may consist in the locational choices of providers, who eschew poorer neighbourhoods.

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A Comparison of Public Revenues Across the Federal States
IW-Report No. 41 12. October 2026

A Comparison of Public Revenues Across the Federal States

Björn Kauder

To ensure equivalent living conditions, the federal government influences the revenues of the states and municipalities. Under the fiscal equalization system, financially weak states receive surpluses in the distribution of sales tax revenues, while financially strong states must accept shortfalls.

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German Foreign Investment and the debate over Germany as a business location
IW-Report No. 39 6. October 2026

German Foreign Investment and the debate over Germany as a business location

Samina Sultan / Jürgen Matthes

Geopolitical pressure and the debate over Germany’s competitiveness make it necessary to develop a more precise understanding of German foreign direct investment. This report provides a comprehensive empirical analysis and also examines the implications for Germany as a business location.

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