IX. Scientific Conference together with the MPIfG: Regional Disparities and Inequality as Challenges for Social Cohesion?

The new economics of geography raises questions of whether inequality within countries and between nations within the EU in terms of (local) attractiveness, well-being and economic performance may be rising.

If so, this tends to challenge exist-ing political structures, voting behaviour and the acceptance of change due to digi-talisation and increasing uncertainty. How could these different developments in our societies and within the EU be managed? How could social cohesion and social capital be strengthened? How can collective goods still be supplied? How important are housing, regional development and infrastructure enablers? What are similari-ties, what are differences between approaches of economists and sociologists in dealing with these topics?