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"Since the award of the Nobel price, Stiglitz is one of the best known economists. This paper comments on the general approach and on some selected topics of Joseph E. Stiglitz' 'Economics of the Public Sector' which has a conservative-liberal stance. Its main arguments are contrasted with those of Stiglitz' 'Globalization and its discontents' (2003)." (author's abstract)

This article examines the congruent and conflicting effects of fiscal decentralization and power devolution-two main types of decentralization in post-reform China-in order to tackle the insufficient distinction between them in current academic analyses. Derived from the two types of decentralization respectively are fiscal incentive and local autonomy, which influence local states' policy implementation in turnover taxation. By uncovering the unique logic of either factor, this article argues that contrary to what is widely presupposed, local autonomy is not necessarily congruent with fiscal incentive in affecting local compliance with centrally imposed policy rules during policy implementation. When power devolution and fiscal decentralization follow an internally consistent logic of decentralization as a whole by proceeding at the same pace and favoring the same specific locality, they inevitably generate conflicting effects on local states' implementation strategies. Congruent effects arise only if incoherent evolution occurs between the two types of decentralization. This paradox highlights the contradiction inveterate in the dynamics of decentralization. This argument is first developed through theoretical reasoning, and then substantiated by an empirical comparison between Guangzhou and Shanghai during 1984-1988 and 1992-1995. (J Contemp China/DÜI)

Democratic decentralisation is a stated goal of many African countries, but there are considerable institutional and political challenges involved in making it a reality. Even where official government decentralisation programmes are underway, many central agencies may be reluctant or unwilling to share significant powers with local governments. Overcoming local elite capture and generating genuine local participation can also be extremely difficult. This article reviews basic institutional and political mechanisms intended to facilitate effective decentralisation and intergovernmental fiscal relations, including legal, constitutional, fiscal and managerial reforms. (InWent/DÜI)

Der Verfasser fragt zunächst nach den für die Verteidigungsplanung zur Verfügung stehenden budgetären Ressourcen, um dann differenziert für die Bereiche Personal sowie Betrieb und Investition zu prüfen, in welchem Maße die amtliche Planung mit der anzunehmenden Ressourcenlinie konfligiert. Da ein solcher Konflikt in der Tat konstatiert wird, werden im Folgenden die hinter der Kostendynamik des Verteidigungshaushaltes stehenden Faktoren analysiert. Auf dieser Basis formuliert der Verfasser einen verteidigungspolitischen Alternativvorschlag, der jenseits kostentreibender Aspirationen eine Verringerung des Präsenzumfangs der Bundeswehr um 20 v.H. sowie eine Rückverlagerung des planerischen Schwerpunkts auf die Landstreitkräfte vorsieht. (ICE)

This paper examines the similarities and contrasts of strategies adopted by the larger South American economies - Argentina, Brazil and Chile - in dealing with the problems raised by the fall of their export revenues coupled with the almost complete interruption of the inflow of foreign capital in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The characteristics of foreign indebtedness of these countries in the late 1920s and the ways the external shock affected their balance of payments from 1928/29 to 1933/34 are also considered. Their differentiated adjustment processes including debt regulation schemes adopted during the 1930s and early 1940s are compared. (Rev Econ Polit/DÜI)