02.02.2018 - Economics, Politics & Philosophy

The new German european policy has no interests

by Thomas Mayer, Norbert F. Tofall

The exploratory talks and coalition negotiations between the CDU/CSU and the SPD lead one to expect a new German European policy in which the representation of German interests no longer plays a role.

06.10.2017 - Economics, Politics & Philosophy

To the federal election: The uprising of the abandoned pupil

by Thomas Mayer

The liberal constitutional state of mature citizens has helped its inhabitants to previously unknown prosperity. But the liberal constitutional state cannot warm the heart like the guardian welfare state, which cares for its relatives like the guardi ...

14.07.2017 - Macroeconomics

A plan C for the euro

by Thomas Mayer

Plan C - the reestablishment of the euro as a common currency in a monetary union with hard budget constraints - would offer the only realistic prospect for a durable EMU, but it is also the least likely to be followed.

14.02.2017 - Society & Finance

Integrists and Identitaries

by Thomas Mayer, Norbert F. Tofall

Populism is the new trend in politics. But what is "populism" and what is behind it? Integrist and identitarian movements want to transform a differentiated society into an identity-forming community by setting specific goals for the state. ...

13.02.2017 - Macroeconomics

It´s the WACC, stupid!

by Thomas Mayer, Agnieszka Gehringer

In the wake of the Great Financial Crisis central banks have made strong efforts to lift investment spending of companies by depressing interest rates. Their intention was to stimulate lending for investment purposes so as to revive growth and lift i ...

01.12.2016 - Macroeconomics

Italy at a crossroads

by Thomas Mayer, Agnieszka Gehringer

A referendum on the amendment of the Constitution is held in Italy on 4 December. The constitutional reform could improve the functioning of the political and administrative apparatus and take a step towards modernising the paralysed economic system. ...