ifo Media Center
The ifo Institute invites you to participate in the discussion of interesting economic topics via the Internet. In our ifo Media Center a whole series of remarkable events are available and can be viewed in full length. We also record selected speeches and presentations given by employees or at events and make them available in our Media Center.
EBDC Business Investment Panel (2017)
10.7805/ebdc-bip-2017
ifo Viewpoint No. 192: Hundred Year High Inequality in Germany? – A Fairy Tale Based on Selective Perception
Wikipedia defines selective perception as a psychological phenomenon whereby only certain aspects of the environment are perceived while others are blanked out. And this definition perfectly describes the current debate on inequality in Germany. The only facts and half-truths widely perceived and publicised by the media are those supporting the argument that there is a steadily growing gap between the rich and the poor. Other facts, which show that inequality is falling, are ignored because they do not fit in with the simple, easy-sell story of a growing divide.
ifo Viewpoint No. 191: Three-Step Plan for a Better European Monetary Fund
The European Commission has proposed further developing the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) into a European Monetary Fund (EMF). Firstly, the European Council should be given a greater say and should be able to approve or reject bail-out programmes. Secondly, it proposes giving the EMF more instruments and more money to support crisis-afflicted states and banks. Thirdly, the EMF should be obliged to report regularly to the European Parliament and national parliaments on its activities, with a view to achieving greater democratic control.
ifo World Economic Survey (2017q4)
10.7805/ebdc-wes-2017q4
ifo Business Survey Service (2017b)
10.7805/ebdc-ibs-serv-2017b
ifo Business Survey Trade (2017b)
10.7805/ebdc-ibs-tra-2017b
ifo Business Survey Construction (2017b)
10.7805/ebdc-ibs-con-2017b
ifo Business Survey Industry (2017b)
10.7805/ebdc-ibs-ind-2017b
ifo Investment Database (2017)
10.7805/ebdc-iidb-2017
ifo Viewpoint No. 190: Sustainable Fiscal Policy Calls for More Restrictive Debt Rules for Eurozone
One of the key issues on the table in the coalition negotiations is the next German federal government’s position on reforming European Monetary Union. One of the highly controversial topics under discussion is the future of European debt rules. Critics claim that the current rules are too restrictive and will hamper public investment. In reality, a serious application of the existing concepts for ensuring sustainable fiscal policy would call for stricter, not softer debt rules.
ifo Viewpoint No. 189: Germany’s “Jamaica” Coalition and its Economic Policy
The recent Bundestag elections have transformed the political landscape in Germany. The grand coalition has been kicked out and the extreme right-wing Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), which often peddles provocative populist slogans, is now present in Germany’s parliament. This is causing quite a commotion, overshadowing the fact the AfD actually only won 13 percent of votes, and will not participate in government. It is time for politics to focus on the question of how a new government can be formed and what needs to be done for Germany to master the challenges ahead and effectively exploit opportunities in the future.
ifo World Economic Survey (2017q3)
10.7805/ebdc-wes-2017q3
ifo Viewpoint No. 188: Populist Blackmail and the EU
When it comes to justifying violation of European rules on sovereign debt or liquidating banks, one argument is very much in vogue just now: That you have to make an exception once in a while to avoid fuelling populist criticism of the euro and EU.
ifo Business Survey Service (2017a)
10.7805/ebdc-ibs-serv-2017a
ifo Business Survey Trade (2017a)
10.7805/ebdc-ibs-tra-2017a
ifo Business Survey Construction (2017a)
10.7805/ebdc-ibs-con-2017a
ifo Business Survey Industry (2017a)
10.7805/ebdc-ibs-ind-2017a
ifo Viewpoint No. 187: Smart Tax Competition and the UK’s Withdrawal from the EU
Britain’s upcoming exit from the EU has led to a debate on the strategy British economic policy could take after Brexit. Politicians from other EU countries are concerned that the UK could establish itself as a tax and regulation haven at the EU’s doorstep. Using tax incentives the UK could attract companies as well as wealthy EU citizens to the country, with a negative impact on the economic development and tax revenues of the remaining EU member states.
ifo Viewpoint No. 186: How Germany Can Cooperate with Emmanuel Macron to Reform the Eurozone
There were sighs of relief in Germany when France elected Emmanuel Macron as President, but his victory also triggered a debate over Macron’s reform plans for the Eurozone. His critics claim that Macron wishes to turn the currency union into a transfer union against Germany’s interests. His supporters, by contrast, are calling on Germany to support Macron, or face the spectre of a Front National victory in the next elections. Both positions are unreasonable. Macron should be given time to further develop and explain his proposals for Eurozone reform. At the same time – and despite Germany’s delight at the victory of an EU-friendly president in France and its willingness to work with him – it is not the task of the German government to ensure that Macron wins the next election. He is the only person who can make that happen.
ifo World Economic Survey (2017q2)
10.7805/ebdc-wes-2017q2
