We bring experts together...
...and build bridges between academia and politics.
Several times a year, the Market Economy Foundation organizes conferences, symposia, and technical discussions. Participants come from academia, politics, and other relevant fields.
The goal of our conferences is to organize and consolidate the latest knowledge and research from academia regarding urgent political and economic issues, and to discuss solutions. We always conduct such events with an eye towards political practicality, as policy proposals remain ineffective if they cannot convince those active in the political arena.
Guest Lecture about the Social Market Economy in Japan
© Japan Times
On June 18, 2010, experts on the issue of “the social market economy in Europe and its ramifications for Japanese business” met in Tokyo upon the invitation of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Professor Dr. Michael Eilfort delivered the keynote address about the social market economy in Germany and Europe. The Japan Times reported extensively about the event and speech.
At the symposium, experts discussed the role of the welfare state, the social security system, and the financial feasibility of public programs. In this context, criticism of the spending cuts planned by the German federal government was also discussed. Eilfort asserted that the German welfare system has created poor incentives for the majority of people, and in doing so has become far too costly. He observed that a new balance must be struck within the social market economy.
At the same time, in Japan, too, globalization has had a large influence upon the economy and the scope of responsibilities assigned to the social market economy. Consequently, political action must be developed and focused in order to develop forward-thinking solutions to the problems of demographic development and slower growth rates.
Congress of the BDEW (Federal Association of the Energy and Water Industry)
The 2010 BDEW congress took place between June 29 to July 1, 2010 in Berlin.
The title of Dr. Michael Eilfort's address was: “How much state should there be? – Public utilities in the context of Ordnungspolitik and competition."
At the subsequent podium discussion, the theme “The decisive strategy – the middle class, remunicipilization and competition” was also extensively discussed.
Municipal Finance Reform Symposium
On April 15, 2010, experts convened in the New Palace in Stuttgart upon the invitation of the Baden-Württemberg finance ministry in order to discuss municipal finance reform.
The introductory speech by Prof. Dr. Michael Eilfort dealt with the Market Economy Foundation’s proposal for municipal finance reform. For as long as six years, the Foundation, along with the “Tax Code Commission,” continually worked for a simplification of the tax system ahead of tax reduction, and for structural improvements in the income tax including municipal financing.
You can find documentation from the symposium here (German):
Service
Newsletter?
Would you like to learn more about the Market Economy Foundation on a regular basis?
Sign up for our newsletter using the