Severe recessions and financial crises are frequent. Their effect on the economy is persistent and often exceeds initial projections. They can also be a strong driver of widening inequality. Therefore it is important that measures be taken to minimise the risk of such events while strengthening...

Severe recessions and financial crises are frequent. Their effect on the economy is persistent and often exceeds initial projections. They can also be a strong driver of widening inequality. Therefore it is important that measures be taken to minimize the risk of such events while strengthening...

The paper by Christian Kastrop describes the German federal system with a view to drawing some lessons for the European Union. The German system is reckoned to be very good at promoting cooperation and integration, but it has been showing growing problems in terms of efficiency and transparency....

Höppner and Kastrop examine the role of fiscal institutions and budgetary procedures in Germany with respect to the objective of safeguarding sound public finances in the long-run. The paper analyses the main factors underlying debt developments in Germany in recent decades. It also examines...

Höppner and Kastrop discuss the issue of quality in public expenditure in the framework of the Stability and Growth Pact. Their starting point is the reform of the Pact that has taken place in 2005. They summarise the main problems that led to the reform and argue that fiscal rules based only...

Elke Baumann and Christian Kastrop discuss the main features and shortfalls of Germany's current fiscal framework and examine possible reforms. They analyze the shortcomings of the golden rule that has been applied in Germany since the end of the 1960s, which include the rule's asymmetry over...