Thesis (doctoral)--Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, 2003/04. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [733]-784) and index.

Zugl.: London School of Economics, Diss., 2003

Energy resources mean an important aspect of GDP of the Russian Federation. Most of these strategic commodities consumed in the EU have originated in Russia. The aim of the thesis is to assess the mutual relations between the EU and Russia in terms of energy trading with important raw materials with focus on Central Europe. The first chapter deals with various energy sources and their importance for the EU and thenthrough a common EU energy policy. The middle section is devoted to EU-Russia relations in energy and pipelines connecting both sides. The final section assesses the Union from the perspective of energy security and provides other alternatives forenergy production.

Bachelor's thesis. / Format: PDF. Bibl.

This doctoral thesis addresses in a sequence of five essays the question how fiscal policy and economic output are interrelated in emerging Europe and how this relationship is shaped by the respective politico-economic environment and the individual-level support for economic reforms. Following main findings can be highlighted: (1) Countries in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CESEE) respond to a fiscal expansion in the euro area with fiscal easing at home, while the GDP response is mixed across countries.(2)Automatic fiscal stabilizers are comparatively small and discretionary fiscal policy has been largely pro-cyclical in CESEE. (3) The public spending and revenue structure is more "growth-friendly" in CESEEthan in the EU-15. (4) In transition economies with more democratic institutions and a better quality of governance, individuals with high market-relevant skills show a significantly larger support of the privatization status quo than individuals with low market skills. (5) The society in Russia - triggered by a lack of social capital - chooses to demand more state regulationand tolerate corruption to reduce negative externalities imposed by private business.(author's abstract)