Cel This proposal focuses on three topics that are of major interest to the European integration process. All three issues deal with the potential impacts of asymmetries on the geographical distribution of economic activities; we investigate both the positive and the normative aspects and propose to develop models that allow for both a theoretical and an applied analysis.(1) We analyze whether the way indirect consumption taxes are levied matters for thr geographical distribution of firms and consumers and whet her a process of tax harmonization is required and desirable. Because the EU still has to agree on a definitive common tax principle, our conclusions may provide some policy guidance as to which principle of taxation the EU should adopt in the future and what the potential impacts may be.(2) We investigate how the eastern enlargement of the EU possibly provides some centrally located countries with transportation advantages in terms of accessing the larger markets of the Union. It is conjectured that such and quot;transportation gate countries and quot; may drain significant amounts of industry from the new entrants, hence leading to a more uneven spatial distribution of economic activities in the EU as the integration process proceeds. There hence seems t o be a fundamental contradiction between efficiency and regional equity.(3) Finally, we propose to develop operational models that allow for the simulation of the impacts economic integration in the presence of mobile production factors. Such models, that can be used for large-scale analysis and the prediction of the evolution of Europe and apos;s economic landscape, are scarce nowadays despite the need to better understand the ongoing changes. They may provide a valuable tool for policy guidance. Dziedzina nauki social sciencessociologysocial issuessocial inequalitiessocial scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsproduction economicsproductivitysocial sciencessociologygovernancetaxationsocial sciencessocial geographycultural and economic geographysocial scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managementcommerce Słowa kluczowe Agglomeration Computational models Regional development Tax harmonization Trade Transportation gates and hubs Program(-y) FP6-MOBILITY - Human resources and Mobility in the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration "Structuring the European Research Area" under the Sixth Framework Programme 2002-2006 Temat(-y) MOBILITY-2.1 - Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowships (EIF) Zaproszenie do składania wniosków FP6-2004-MOBILITY-5 Zobacz inne projekty w ramach tego zaproszenia System finansowania EIF - Marie Curie actions-Intra-European Fellowships Koordynator UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN Wkład UE Brak danych Adres 1 place de l'Universite LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE Belgia Zobacz na mapie Linki Strona internetowa Opens in new window Koszt całkowity Brak danych
