Der heimliche Finanzausgleich

Abstract

"The new results presented here not only provide an image of the regional mosaic of financial equalization. The analyses show the influence of structural change on the financial power of the regions. For a long time the structural changes have had an over-proportional effect and are causing 'unplanned' deficits. Alarming regional and social structural patterns have been noticeable for several years. At the sometime these are the breaking points of our social security- and financial equalization systems. Analyses and scenarios prove that regional gain- and loss positions could lead to unexpected financing problems in the coming years as well, also in the health and pension system. Without a knowledge of the dynamics of the structures, of the direction and the speed of change - as well as of the damages - the suggestions for reform cannot be good enough. The resources and the efficiency of the economic location Germany appeared to be strong enough to finance the costs of the transformation process without a change of institutional concepts. Now it seems as if the enlarged Germany,13 years after the fall of the wall, can no longer bear the social security burdens. A reform of the financing systems and of financial equalization is overdue. The advantages of the 'silent financial equalization' reach their limits where the suggestions for reform cannot be supported by arguments that are conceivable for all citizens." (Author's abstract , IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Koller, M. (2003): Der heimliche Finanzausgleich. In: Informationen zur Raumentwicklung No. 5, p. 271-294.