WZB Berlin Social Science Center (WZB)
The WZB Berlin Social Science Center, also known by its German initials WZB, is an internationally renowned research institute for the social sciences, the largest such institution in Europe not affiliated with a university. It was founded in 1969 through an all-party initiative of the German Bundestag.
Recent posts
The Bleak Economic Future of Russia (audio test)
By Maria Perrotta Berlin and Jesper Roine
Is the Russian economy “surprisingly resilient” to sanctions and actions of the West? The short answer is no. On the con…
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Energy Security in Belarus: Economic, Geopolitical, and Environmental Dimensions
Energy security is a complex issue that integrates economic, social, and environmental aspects. This brief outlines the…
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What Does Modern Political Economics Tell Us About the Fate of Russia’s Reforms?
After the 2008-09 crisis, Russia is facing a new set of challenges. The pre-crisis sources of growth have been exhausted…
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Shock “Therapy” the Market Way
Twenty years after transition began and the merits of “shock therapy” were argued the most hotly, (former) transition co…
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Between East and West: Regional Trade Policy for Ukraine
By Olena Besedina and Oleksandr Shepotylo
Given Ukraine’s geographical location between Europe and Russia, the country often has to make difficult choices in its…
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Tax Meat to Save the Baltic Sea
In a world of perfect markets, where prices are “right”, consumers' choice should, with few exceptions, be limited only…
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Incomes of Polish Households in the Context of 2005-2011 Tax and Benefit Reforms: A Pre-Election Analysis
On October 9, Polish voters will decide who will form the new government. In an analysis of tax and benefit reforms intr…
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Do Russians Oppose Anti-Tobacco Policy?
Russia is known as a persistent leader in terms of high adult mortality rates among the middle-income countries. Unhealt…
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Baltic Shadow Economies
By Tālis J. Putniņš and Arnis Sauka
This policy brief summarises the results and implications of a recent study of the size and determinants of the shadow e…
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What Do Recent Insights From Development Economics Tell Us About Foreign Aid Policy?
The short answer is: quite a lot, but different parts of the literature offer different recommendations. The problem is…
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