Logo German Economic Institute
DE

Short analyses of topics concerning economic, social and education policies. Read more at iwd.de

Focusing on what is important
  • Berthold Busch ·
  • iwd ·
  • 1 Feb 2018

EU Cohesion Policy: Focusing on what is important

For decades now the EU has constantly been broadening its policy to promote economic and social cohesion. But all spending is now under scrutiny, and not only because they are about to lose a key net contributor in the form of the UK. A recent IW study reveals that more than EUR 20 billion could be saved every year if the cohesion funding were only granted to economically weaker Member States.

The Challenges of the EU
  • Alexander Weber ·
  • iwd ·
  • 25 Jan 2018

Eurobarometer: The Challenges of the EU

The European Union should provide for more jobs, eliminate inequalities, and solve problems relating to migration. These are the results of a survey conducted by Eurobarometer.

Afrika: Viele Probleme, viele Chancen
  • Hubertus Bardt ·
  • iwd ·
  • 16 Oct 2017

Afrika: Viele Probleme, viele Chancen

Der afrikanische Kontinent wird von Europäern oft als ein einziges Land wahrgenommen, tatsächlich aber beheimatet er 54 Staaten mit teils sehr unterschiedlichen geografischen und wirtschaftlichen Voraussetzungen. Die Prognosen für Afrika reichen von „dauerhafter Krisenkontinent“ bis zur „globalen Wirtschaftsmacht“. Für eine bessere Vorhersage lohnt ein genauerer Blick.

A lot to do for the next President
  • Presidential elections in France ·
  • iwd ·
  • 13 Apr 2017

A lot to do for the next President

Whatever the French may choose to be their new head of state at the beginning of May, he or she is faced with major economic challenges. Especially in the areas of labor market and public finances further reforms are bitterly necessary.

  • EU ·
  • iwd ·
  • 22 Mar 2017

60 years Treaty of Rome

The European Union looks back on 60 years of economic cooperation. The first attempts to political integration are even older, but failed in the French parliament. Currently, however, closer cooperation in security and defense policy is urgently needed.

The fate of plastic bags
  • Environmental Protection ·
  • iwd ·
  • 1 Dec 2016

The fate of plastic bags

The EU wants to drastically reduce the consumption of plastic bags and is hopeful that consumers will switch to more environmentally friendly alternatives. Until 27 November 2016, EU governments had to adopt measures to cut the consumption of plastic carrier bags and report them to the EU Commission as required by the EU Plastic Bag Directive. Germany has opted for a voluntary agreement. This sounds good, but there is more than one obstacle.

Electricity looking for storage
  • German Energy turn-around – Energiewende ·
  • iwd ·
  • 29 Nov 2016

Electricity looking for storage

Battery storage could go mainstream with growing shares of power produced from wind and sun and electric cars becoming more common in the streets. A rapid growth of the role of rechargeable batteries would, however, also lead to a significantly higher demand for certain critical raw materials needed to build these batteries. If e-vehicles penetrate the market by 2035 global annual demand for lithium could be almost 4 times higher than its current production.

Surplus is no ground for sanctions
  • Current account ·
  • iwd ·
  • 15 Nov 2016

Surplus is no ground for sanctions

The German economy is operating profitably in foreign trade. But contrary to popular belief, the current account surplus does not adversely affect the European countries impacted by the financial crisis. Indeed, the economic ascent of the newly industrialised countries has resulted in especially great demand for products from Germany’s capital goods industry.

Expensive alternatives to the EU
  • UK's costs in case of a Brexit ·
  • iwd ·
  • 2 Jun 2016

Expensive alternatives to the EU

If the UK leaves the EU, the country could establish relationships to Brussels similar to those of Norway or Switzerland. None of the alternatives would come without a cost.

Cherry picking is just wishful thinking
  • Brexit ·
  • iwd ·
  • 2 Jun 2016

Cherry picking is just wishful thinking

On 23 June, the UK will hold a referendum on whether the country will remain in the European Union. If the vote falls in favour of the Brexit, the British government will have to restructure its cooperation with the EU on the political and economic levels. Proponents of leaving the EU are hoping for a tailored agreement for the United Kingdom. However, this isn’t very realistic.

More