Cohesion and competitiveness in the system of multilevel governance of Germany

In a master thesis the student will deal with the issue of ‘’cohesion and competitiveness in the system of multilevel governance of Germany’’.

Firstly, she will examine the typology of local governments (in general) by distinguishing features, more precisely to find general trends towards the decentralization. Besides, the student will outline the basic features for strengthening the local government autonomies. Discuss on the role of international organizations, which are trying to encourage greater political decentralization at the local level.

Secondly, the student will get handle on the case of Germany in particular. Discuss on the development of German federalism, its nature with the basic elements, advantages/disadvantages and the role of the Lander in the contemporary policy-making. Furthermore, she will outline the convergence of the local and national interests to each other and the extent at which federalism becomes an obstacle for strengthening and pursuing the common national policies. Besides, the student will cope with the financial trends and distribution of resources among the Landers. Focus on the relation between Lander and Federation (cooperation and conflict among the governments). Constitutional distribution of power and responsibilities. Moreover, she will discuss on the refusal of flowing resources from ‘’economically- strong states’’ to ‘’economically-weak states’’, the idea of fiscal decentralization and present challenges of fiscal federalism arrangements. Furthermore, the student will cope with the German unification and Europeanisation as the challenging earlier trends affecting the German federal system, the role of Lander in the EU-policy-making.

Thirdly, the student will also get handle on the reform of the Basic Law and clarify legislative competencies, relatively few competencies for the Lander and traditionally gained legislative authority via 3 routes for the Federation. Besides, she will cope with the reduction of the mutual blockade of the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. Institutional design and arrangement of the political and administrative leadership at the federal and local level. Furthermore, the student will discuss on the federal supervision of Lander administration.

At the last, the student will determine future trends of German federalism and any necessary changes.

The research question of the master thesis: does the territorial state organization matter for effective policy making and if so, in what way?

References:

1. Daniel J. Elazar ‘’Exploring Federalism’’ (The University of Alabama Press,1987), p.33;

2. Gunlicks, A. ‘’The Lander and German federalism’’ (Manchester University Press 2003), pp. 83-103;

3. Gunther M. Hega ‘’The Reform of German Federalism since Unification’’ (Western Michigan University 2003), pp. 8-14;

4. Schmidt. M. ‘’Political Institutions in the Federal Republic of Germany’’ (Oxford University Press, 2003), p.58.