IW-Policy Paper

The IW policy papers are published on current events and initiate political debates. They focus on the analysis and political classification of current decision papers and address a specialist audience with a close relationship to economic policy. They are published exclusively online.

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Hubertus Bardt / Michael Hüther ·
IW-Policy Paper Nr. 4 ·
17 February 2021

From Lockdown to the New Normal

For almost a year, German society and economy have been significantly constrained by the health threat posed by the Covid pandemic and the restrictions it has triggered. The consequences to date have amounted to one of the most severe economic crises in the history of the Federal Republic, significant educational shortcomings and increasing social problems. The rapid development of vaccines now raises the hope of pushing back the virus and gradually returning to normal life.

Martin Beznoska / Björn Kauder / Thomas Obst ·
IW-Policy Paper Nr. 2 ·
3 February 2021

Investment, human capital and growth effects of public spending

Unlike public sector consumption, public investment is often regarded as contributing to growth. Yet while spending on "intangible" goods such as education does not count as investment, even though it is potentially growth-enhancing, expenditure with little to no effect on growth often does.

Galina Kolev / Jürgen Matthes ·
IW-Policy Paper Nr. 1 ·
19 January 2021

It's all about China, stupid!: Trade Policy Perspectives after the Change of Power in the USA

The election of Joe Biden as the next US President was celebrated with great acclaim within the international community. The history of US trade policy shows that many Democrats, as US presidents, have succeeded in accelerating the trade liberalisation process.

Jürgen Matthes / Galina Kolev ·
IW-Policy Paper Nr. 28 ·
21 December 2020

RCEP: What the trade agreement means for the EU and the German economy

RCEP is relevant for Europe, but it is over-estimated in some respects. Compared with EU trade agreements, trade liberalisation remains low. This is mainly because, already before, about five sixths of intraregional trade took place between partners under bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs), so that tariffs reduction is low overall.

Tobias Hentze ·
IW-Policy Paper Nr. 27 ·
7 December 2020

On the design of the corona aid in 2021

In view of the partially existence-threatening consequences resulting from the partial shutdown due to the Corona crisis, the Federal Government was and is under pressure to act. The need for simple and effective help is unquestionable, because it helps to maintain economic structures.

Jan Büchel / Christian Rusche ·
IW-Policy Paper Nr. 26 ·
7 December 2020

Competition in the digital Economy: An analysis of Gatekeepers and Regulations

The Digital Age saw the rise of several rapidly growing digital platforms with substantial market shares. Europe is a large target market for these globally operating platforms, although the majority of the most successful platforms come from the USA or Asia.

Michael Hüther / Jens Südekum ·
IW-Policy Paper Nr. 25 ·
17 November 2020

How to re‐design German fiscal policy rules after the COVID19 pandemic

The study will first outline the way in which Germany’s fiscal policy was driven for several decades by a paradigm that centered on deficit control and reduced state involvement in the economy.

Michael Hüther / Markus Vogel ·
IW-Policy Paper Nr. 24 ·
2 November 2020

Sovereignty and responsibility in a multi-level system: Federalism as an orientation for a sustainable EU?

At the beginning of the year 2020 the European Union stands just ahead the new institutional cycle. The results of the elections to the European Parliament have not fulfilled the fears about Euroscepticism characterizing the following period.

Regulations for school and kindergarten attendance in the pandemic in comparison to other German states

Susanna Kochskämper / Christine Arentz ·
IW-Policy Paper Nr. 23 ·
21 October 2020

You little children are coming?

In addition to the goals of infection prevention and the avoidance of overloading the capacities of the health care system, the avoidance of daycare, kindergarden and school closures is another goal of the current German policy in the corona pandemic.

Alevtina Krotova / Armin Mertens / Marc Scheufen ·
IW-Policy Paper Nr. 21 ·
13 October 2020

An Economic Analysis: Open data and data sharing

Data is an important business resource. It forms the basis for various digital technologies such as artificial intelligence or smart services. However, access to data is unequally distributed in the market. Hence, some business ideas fail due to a lack of data sources.