Energy transitions are high on political agendas. From a practical viewpoint, community approaches are deemed essential in order to transition from a predominantly centralized energy supply to a decentralized one, and to exploit the potential of renewable energies. In this paper, I discuss how...

Following difficult negotiations, the European institutions eventually, in May 2006, arrived at a consensus on a new Financial Framework for the European Union's budget over the years 2007 to 2013. In an additional declaration, the European Commission was invited to undertake a full review...

As of the beginning of the year 2008, a reformed system of federal fiscal relations will start in Austria with a planned duration of six years. The new system is essentially a continuation of the previous system. However, the agreements also include the establishment of a commission of experts...

Legislative bargaining theory suggests that fiscal transfers among member states of a federation are determined to a substantial degree by political representation effects. Malapportionment of the states'population in the legislature is claimed to lead to disproportional benefits of...