Warenverkehrsfreiheit versus sektorales Fahrverbot: Europäische Verkehrspolitik und nationale Handlungsspielräume

Die mit 1. Jänner 2008 in Kraft getretene VO des Landeshauptmannes von Tirol, mit der auf einem Teilstück der A 12 Inntal-Autobahn der Transport bestimmter Güter im Fernverkehr verboten wird, stellt den zweiten derartigen Versuch der Tiroler Landespolitik dar, dem stetig ansteigenden Alpentransitverkehr Einhalt zu gebieten. Das gegen diese "Sektorale Fahrverbots-VO neu" eingeleitete Vertragsverletzungsverfahren gegen Österreich soll zum Anlass genommen werden, die mit der Transitproblematik einhergehenden Fragestellungen in Bezug auf die europäische Verkehrspolitik zu erörtern. Dabei wird va die Frage in den Mittelpunkt gerückt, ob den Mitgliedstaaten überhaupt noch eine Regelungsautonomie verbleibt oder ob es sich beim europäischen Verkehrswesen um eine ausschließliche Kompetenz der Gemeinschaft handelt. Die europäische Verkehrspolitik als Instrument und Gegenstand der europäischen Integration kann naturgemäß nicht isoliert betrachtet werden, sondern ist insb auch unter dem Aspekt der Warenverkehrsfreiheit zu behandeln. Die damit einhergehende Problematik, die ihren Höhepunkt in der Diskussion über die freie Wahl des Verkehrsträgers findet, bildet den zweiten Schwerpunkt dieser Arbeit. Unter Berücksichtigung der erlangten Erkenntnisse sollen zuletzt die Chancen der gemeinschaftsrechtlichen Zulässigkeit des neuen sektoralen Fahrverbots beurteilt werden.     

A Critical Evaluation of Australian Mineral Resources Rent Tax

An embryonic literature exists on policy failures by the Australian Government, which has examined inter alia the Home Insulation Program, the Green Loans Program, the Building the Education Revolution, and the macroeconomic stimulus package following the global financial crisis. This article contributes to this literature by considering the introduction of the Mineral Resources Rent Tax (MRRT) and its subsequent performance in terms of revenue. We evaluate the implementation of the MRRT using theoretical insights from the policy analysis literature and attempt to draw some broader public policy “lessons”.     

Same menu,seperate tables: The institutionalist turn in political science and the study of European integration

Abstract Recent research on European integration has largely profited from the institutionalist turn in political science. Theoretical progress has, however, been hampered by the diverse understandings of this new research tradition. This paper tries to tackle the conceptual diversity in a positive way. We first analyze the neo–institutionalist turn in political science and European studies and then move on to a detailed analysis and comparison of the three competing approaches — sociological, historical, and rational choice institutionalism. Next, we will show that the main differences are as much epistemological as theoretical. A convergence towards a unifying institutionalist approach can thus only be possible if some sort of a methodological convergence takes place. We sketch how a synthesis between the competing schools might appear.     

Financial and world economic crisis: What did economists contribute?

In this paper we deal with two questions, (1) what are the origins of the current financial crisis, and (2) what did economists contribute, or why did economists fail to provide a convincing answer for the origins of the crisis, and possible solutions to overcome it? The economics profession apparently was unaware of the looming worldwide financial and economic crisis, and significantly underestimated its global dimensions and consequences. A first and preliminary analysis is undertaken to explore reasons for these failures. We conclude by pointing to some consequences for economics as well as for economic policy.     

Performance accountability in the UN Secretariat – The conflictual way toward more flexibility

The article investigates accountability structures in the Secretariat of the United Nations (UN) by emphasizing the institutional design and the interaction between member states and Secretariat. Empirical findings indicate that reform endeavors toward a more performance‐based accountability in the UN Secretariat have fallen short. The article finds that mistrust between Secretariat and member states and among the member states themselves is predominantly responsible for the identified shortcomings and outlines how polarized the legislative organs – namely the member states – are. Evidently, a substantial concern of the countries represented in the G77 is that an empowerment of the Secretariat would ultimately lead to an empowerment of the influential donor countries and the permanent members of the Security Council. Consequently, the authors identify three main challenges that have to be handled in order to move toward a more performance oriented accountability structure: The creation of a trusting environment and strategic partnerships between the governing bodies, the further empowerment of senior managers, and a review of the current performance management system. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.