The thesis evaluates three revenue neutral mixes of political measures aimed at the support of utilization of biofuels in the Czech Republic. The dynamic computable general equilibrium model with three aggregated sectors and two types of households is applied for evaluation of relevant environmental and economic impacts. The hypothetic price subsidy of utilization of energy biomass in production of the first generation biofuels fulfilling sustainability criteria is chosen as the basic supportive tool. The revenue neutrality is satisfied via adequate increase in tax rates in three different alternative scenarios (via labor tax, motor fuel tax, and standard value added tax). The results indicate that at the current price level of crude oil even relatively high level of price subsidy is not sufficient in fulfilling the emission and biofuel share targets presumed by European Commission. Therefore, for attaining the biofuel share target high percentage first generation biofuels and second and third generation biofuels have to be utilized. Furthermore, for the fulfilling of emission targets other alternative fuels have to be utilized as well. The results finally reveal that environmentally most efficient mix is the price subsidy compensated via an increase in the motor fuel tax, economically most...

In this study of Germany’s international cartel agreements there will be some shortcomings in the textual materials during certain periods of time covered in this report. This is due both to public apathy in respect to cartels, and the reluctance of firms to publicize their cartel arrangements. In addition to this the main emphasis of this report will stree to ramifications of Germany’s cartel upon the United States in the decade preceding World War II. This does not detract from the equally important effects Germany’s cartel operations had upon other nations, but is indicative of the dearth of material available to this writer on cartel agreements abroad. Through this shortcoming is unfortunate in respect to other nations, it is appropriate that emphasis be focused upon the United States because of its position of leadership, industrially speaking, during the era covered in this report. This report will first examine the word cartel in order to give the reader an insight as to the definition of this term. This is necessary since there is some disagreement as to the precise meaning of the term. Attention will be centered on the various types of cartels, both of the domestic and international varieties found in Germany during the period under consideration. Though the intent of this report is the exploration of Germany’s international cartel effects, the inclusion of that nation’s domestic cartels is warranted by their relationship and similarities. From this point the report will proceed to give a brief historical sketch of the development of cartels to the present day, with special attention being given to the growth of German cartels. Included in this analysis will be the philosophical and legal basis for their growth. The role played by cartels in the rise of Hitler to power and their relationship with National Socialism will be scrutinized and evaluated. Attention will then be given to specific case histories of international cartel relationships between German and foreign firms.

Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Arts in (Political Studies) University of the Witwatersrand February, 2015 / The ANC ascended to government against the backdrop of a rapidly changing global political economic order after the end of the Cold War. This effectively marked the collapse of communism as a global political force and the concomitant dominance of neoliberalism. In 1996, the African National Congress government adopted the Growth Employment and Redistribution strategy (GEAR) as its new economic blue print, through which it would pursue its transformation agenda. In so doing, the ANC circumvented economic policy consultation processes with its political alliance partners and declared GEAR ‘non-negotiable’. This research argues that the shift to GEAR was essentially an economic policy alignment with the dominant post -Cold War neoliberal discourse and practice. It was fashioned deliberately by key ANC policy makers who had bought into the neoliberal assumption that development would occur after economic growth had been attained. The GEAR strategy privileged market led reforms which subordinated the transformation agenda to orthodox macroeconomic considerations. The pro-market bias which began with the adoption of the GEAR strategy has continued to shape South Africa’s post-apartheid economic policy environment to a significant extent.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in part fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Management in Public and Development Management, 2018 / The regional economic integration is a positive process at work in the world economy, as it acts as an effective vehicle for trade and economic and financial globalization, thereby fostering growth. Regional economic integration is also a reflection of the diversity of economies and their histories, and it is notable that the process follows markedly different patterns across the world. Africa like all other continents, has developed a rational response to the difficulties faced by a continent with many small national markets, challenges of geopolitics and landlocked countries to address these shortcomings. African governments have over the years developed strategies, and from that concluded a very large number of regional integration arrangements, to drive this idea. The Development Finance Institutions (DFI’s) play, a positive and significant role in fostering economic growth and with the impact being stronger in low to medium income countries than in higher income countries. Financial investment has a huge role in the economic growth and in turn economic development. In their nature, DFI’s have an additional role, that of, bridging the gap that arise, as a result of commercial banks not able to finance infrastructural needs (soft and hard), creativity and innovations, that will lead to meaningful regional economic integration. However, it is not clear whether the regional DFI’s are having any specified, significant role in the regional economic integration agenda, hence this research. The aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness roles of the DBSA, in the regional economic integration, in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This study approach, focuses on three (3) main questions which are aimed at determining the effectiveness of the DBSA’s roles in the regional economic integration. The secondary questions are a supporting instrument to the initial question and the questions are meant to find out about factors hindering the effectiveness of the supporting roles of DBSA in the SADC’s regional economic integration. In endeavoring to determine the structural challenges faced by the DBSA, in the SADC region, the investigations explored the interventions and or measures that would improve the bank’s supporting roles, especially because of its developmental importance in the region. To carry out this exploratory study, the investigation followed a qualitative research approach, as a framework and structured face to face interviews and document analysis were also used. Almost all respondents sighted that the major roles of the DBSA in the regional economic integration in SADC to often be associated with resource mobilization and financing of regional infrastructures in SADC, identification of areas for cooperation to facilitate the economic development of SADC and influencing policy development through research and information exchange and sharing. Most of the interviewees, emphasized that the DBSA, has done extremely well in providing both technical and financial support to the SADC in their endeavor to facilitate for the regional economic integration. Simultaneously, most interviewees agreed again, that the, hindrances and or limiting factors to the effectiveness of the supporting roles of DBSA in the SADC’s regional economic integration, have been the inhibiting inherent heterogeneity of SADC countries, inability of the SADC to hold member states accountable and responsible, lack of political will to implement the integration, legal factors, and significant reliance on grants and foreign funding. The results shows that DBSA has been found to be very technically able to deal with support in the regional economic integration. This result suggest that the SADC leadership should consider revising the roles, and the funding model of the DFI’s for the benefit of the regional economic integration agenda. / XL2019

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