Non-market Allocation in Transport: A Reassessment of its Justification and the Challenge of Institutional Transition
Ulrich Blum
50 Years of Transport Research: Experiences Gained and Major Challenges Ahead,
2005
Abstract
Economic theory knows two systems of coordination: through public choice or through the market principle. If the market is chosen, then it may either be regulated, or it may be fully competitive (or be in between these two extremes). This paper first inquires into the reasons for regulation, it analyses the reasons for the important role of government in the transportation sector, especially in the procurement of infrastructure. Historical reasons are seen as important reasons for bureaucratic objections to deregulation. Fundamental economic concepts are forwarded that suggest market failure and justify a regulatory environment. The reasons for regulation cited above, however, may be challenged; we forward theoretical concepts from industrial organization theory and from institutional economics which suggest that competition is even possible on the level of infrastructure. The transition from a strongly regulated to a competitive environment poses problems that have given lieu to numerous failures in privatization and deregulation. Structural inertia plays an important role, and the incentive-compatible management of infrastructure is seen as the key element of any liberal transportation policy. It requires that the setting of rules on the meta level satisfies both local and global efficiency ends. We conclude that, in market economies, competition and regulation should not be substitutes but complements. General rules, an "ethic of competition" have to be set that guarantee a level playing field to agents; it is complimented by institutions that provide arbitration in case of misconduct.
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Fall forecast: The situation of the global and the German economy in fall 2004
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 13,
2004
Abstract
In der Weltwirtschaft hält der kräftige Aufschwung an, er verliert allerdings seit dem Frühjahr 2004 etwas an Fahrt. Die Abschwächung erklärt sich zum Teil aus einer Straffung der bisher sehr expansiven Wirtschaftspolitik. Zwar blieben die monetären Rahmenbedingungen zumeist ausgesprochen günstig, aber in den USA liefen finanzpolitische Impulse aus, und in China, dem zweiten Kraftzentrum, wurden administrative Maßnahmen ergriffen, um die überschäumende Konjunktur zu zügeln. Zusätzlich gedämpft wurde die wirtschaftliche Aktivität von dem starken Anstieg der Rohölpreise. Sie erreichten bis in den Oktober immer neue Rekordhöhen. Der ölpreisbedingte Kaufkraftentzug bremste insbesondere den privaten Konsum. Die Unternehmensinvestitionen, die – unterstützt von der sehr expansiven Geldpolitik im vergangenen Jahr – mehr und mehr Dynamik entfaltet hatten, wurden hingegen weiter zügig ausgedehnt.
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Spring experts report: The situation of the global and the German economy in spring 2004
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 6,
2004
Abstract
Die Weltwirtschaft befindet sich im Aufschwung. Seit Mitte 2003 expandiert die Produktion in vielen Ländern ausgesprochen kräftig, und die Kapazitätsauslastung steigt. Der Aufschwung hat mit Nordamerika und Ostasien zwei Zentren.
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Revenue Implications of Trade Liberalization
L. Ebrill, Reint E. Gropp, J. Stotsky
IMF Occasional Papers, No. 180,
No. 180,
1999
Abstract
In recent decades many countries have dismantled trade barriers and opened their economies to international competition. Trade liberalization is seen to promote economic efficiency, international competitiveness, and an expansion of trade, perhaps especially in imperfectly competitive markets. Yet despite this progress in trade liberalization, as evidenced by the conclusion of the Uruguay Round in 1994 and the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, trade barriers are still widespread. Some economies and some sectors (e.g., agriculture in many industrial countries) remain relatively insulated from the global economy by a variety of nontariff and tariff barriers, even as import substitution continues to lose ground as a strategy for economic development.
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