How do different components of the tax and transfer systems affect disposable income inequality? This paper explores the redistributive effects of different tax benefit instruments in the enlarged EU based on two approaches. Inequality analysis based on the standard approach suggests that...

This paper analyzes the effectiveness of the tax and transfer systems in the European Union and the US to act as an automatic stabilizer in the current economic crisis. We find that automatic stabilizers absorb 38 per cent of a proportional income shock in the EU, compared to 32 per cent in the...

This paper investigates to what extent the tax and transfer systems in Europe protect households at different income levels against losses in current income caused by economic downturns like the present financial crisis. We use a multi country micro simulation model to analyse how shocks on...

The current debt crisis has given rise to a debate about deeper fiscal integration in Europe. The view is widespread that moving towards a 'fiscal union' would have a stabilising effect in the event of macroeconomic shocks. In this paper we study the economic effects of introducing two elements...

In ihrem Beitrag zeigen PD Dr. Clemens Fuest und Dr. Marcel Thum, Universität München, dass sich auch bei imperfekten Arbeitsmärkten mit Tarifverhandlungen Immigrationsgewinne einstellen. Wie bei kompetitiven Arbeitsmärkten gehen die Effizienzgewinne aus der Zuwanderung aber einher mit...

Europa sollte für künftige Pandemien Pläne für ein effektiveres Krisenmanagement entwickeln. Mobilitätsbeschränkungen über nationale Grenzen hinweg und gesundheitspolitische Maßnahmen sollten besser koordiniert werden, um etwa vorhandene Krankenhauskapazitäten gemeinsam nutzen zu...