Search results for ""author christian von hirschhausen""

The design of infrastructure policies is a controversial issue in the transition economies of Eastern Europe, where the dismal state of infrastructure was widely regarded to be one of the major obstacles to economic recovery and sustained growth. With the imminent enlargement of the EU, Christian von Hirschhausen provides a detailed, reflective analysis of the state of infrastructure development in Eastern Europe. The author illustrates the different approaches to modernizing infrastructure and the successes that have been achieved in terms of fiscal relief, private investment and increased efficiency. Based upon a comparative institutional analysis and extensive field research and case studies, he provides empirical evidence from different sectors (power, gas, railways, roads, R&D), with particular emphasis on countries such as Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Baltics and Russia. Given the substantial institutional instability of the early years of transition, the author promotes a gradual but time-consistent approach to liberalization as a more promising path towards a market economy and increased efficiency. The author offers sound policy recommendations on how best to achieve the successful modernization of East European infrastructure in the course of EU-enlargement.This book will be indispensable to all researchers and academics of European integration and transition economics, policymakers in the EU, and institutions such as development banks which are active in the restructuring process in Eastern Europe and EU-enlargement.

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This book provides a balanced presentation of international trends in infrastructure regulation and financing. Based on recent developments in microeconomic theory, it comprehensively discusses the role of the state and the private sector in infrastructure provision. As well as a thorough overview of the relevant theoretical issues, the authors carefully examine national experiences of private participation in infrastructure. In particular, they explore sectoral restructuring in the electricity, telecommunications, water and transport sectors. The book includes case studies from both Argentina and the UK, and places a particular focus on Germany which, for a developed country, is a peculiar latecomer in terms of infrastructure sector reform.Well argued and rich in new insights, this book offers a meticulous and informative analysis of current trends in infrastructure privatization and deregulation. Among the authors are well-known specialists as well as younger researchers who provide a fresh perspective on the issue. The book will be of interest and relevance to researchers, academics, policymakers and international organizations interested in regulation and the modernization of infrastructure both in developed and developing countries.

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