Publikationen Institute und Zentren - FH Graubünden

Abstract: Gentechnologie ist unabhängig von ihrer praktischen Anwendung immer auch eine Informationstechnologie. Sie dient beispielsweise zur Personenidentifikation, zur Bestimmung von Verwandschaftsverhältnissen oder zur Abklärung des Potentials von Erbkranheiten. Urs Dahinden beschreibt eine Umfrage, die über die Motive und Argumentationsmuster der Bevölkerung Aufschluss geben kann. Wieviel wollen Menschen überhaupt über ihre genetische Veranlagung wissen? Auf welche Informationen möchten sie bewusst verzichten? Die Befragung verschiedener Fokusgruppen kann mögliche Wege aufzeigen, wie Institutionen mit der Bevölkerung kommunizieren können.

Abstract: Integrated assessment (IA) can be defined as a structured process of dealing with complex issues, using knowledge from various scientific disciplines and/or stakeholders, such that integrated insights are made available to decision makers (J. Rotmans, Enviromental Modelling and Assessment 3 (1998) 155). There is a growing recognition that the participation of stakeholders is a vital element of IA. However, only little is known about methodological requirements for such participatory IA and possible insights to be gained from these approaches. This paper summarizes some of the experiences gathered in the ULYSSES project, which aims at developing procedures that are able to bridge the gap between environmental science and democratic policy making for the issue of climate change. The discussion is based on a total of 52 IA focus groups with citizens, run in six European and one US city. In these groups, different computer models were used, ranging from complex and dynamic global models to simple accounting tools. The analysis in this paper focuses on the role of the computer models. The findings suggest that the computer models were successful at conveying to participants the temporal and spatial scale of climate change, the complexity of the system and the uncertainties in our understanding of it. However, most participants felt that the computer models were less instrumental for the exploration of policy options. Furthermore, both research teams and participants agreed that despite considerable efforts, most models were not sufficiently user-friendly and transparent for being accessed in an IA focus group. With that background, some methodological conclusions are drawn about the inclusion of the computer models in the deliberation process. Furthermore, some suggestions are made about how given models should be adapted and new ones developed in order to be helpful for participatory IA.

Abstract: Decisions on which climate risks to accept and on how to use energy in the future affect every citizen's life. Public participation on these issues is necessary to find policies supported by the public. It is especially important because uncertainties about climate issues allow only descriptions in terms of subjective probabilities, invariably linked to subjective preferences. Subjective probabilities and preferences of experts can be balanced by those of ordinary citizens. IA-focus groups are a promising research method to explore citizens' views on climate change. We discuss this method and its application involving approx. 100 citizens in Switzerland. Three findings are presented. First, the discussion groups emphasize the moral dimension of man-made climate change. Second, they tend to see a future characterized by high levels of energy use as nightmarish, while they tend to see a future characterized by low levels of energy use as an attractive option. Third, while they see energy reduction as desirable, the willingness to engage in high-cost options like a hard-hitting carbon tax is practically nil. This apparent contradiction can be interpreted as follows: the possibility of major climate impacts ignites the public imagination, but subjective probabilities associated with it are rather low. Under these conditions, support for a low-energy society indicates that citizens expect such an option to be achievable at low cost. Rather than dismissing this expectation offhand as unrealistic, we argue that research on how low-cost options could lead to significant reduction in energy use would meet an important social need.

Abstract: In the beginnings of climate change policy, results from the natural sciences were essential for motivating the establishment of global change diplomacy. At present it is increasingly being recognised that these results must be combined with findings from the social sciences if effective climate policy is to emerge. In particular, participatory techniques for the involvement of stakeholders, ranging from ordinary citizens to business people, are needed. The paper presents the methodology of Integrated Assessment (IA)-Focus Groups, designed primarily for involving citizens in Integrated Assessments of complex issues like climate change. It focuses on collages produced by European IA-Focus Group participants faced with alternative possibilities of energy use. The results suggest that citizens across Europe see strong reductions of current levels of energy use as more desirable than a business-as-usual perspective. Moreover, they indicate that the opinion formation by citizens is by no means restricted to unambiguous stereotypes. We relate these findings to the concept of `reflexive modernisation', stressing the importance of uncertainty and ambiguity in environmental debates. Implications for representing uncertainty in IA models are discussed.

Abstract: This paper surveys the application of spatial models for the analysis of economic policy decisions. Three topics are reviewed: the first is how the structure of the decision-making process contributes to stable and consistent policy choices. Both aspects are decisive prerequisites for the functioning of a market economy. Second, a review of the literature on US and European Union (EU) policy choices reveals how decision rules are decisive in predicting these choices. Third, a literature on the structure of legislative decision-making shows how the understanding of bureaucratic behavior is enhanced by the analysis of the rules which determine delegated discretion.

Abstract: The paper analyzes the institutional conditions under which policymakers can credibly commit to an independent central bank and thereby mitigate the well-known time consistency problem in monetary policy. It is shown theoretically that granting independence via a statute is only credible for legislative systems with at least two heterogeneous decision-making bodies which both have veto rights (for example bicameral systems). This thesis is supported by empirical evidence: The legal independence of central banks is significantly higher in those OECD countries whose legislative processes are characterized by extensive checks and balances. Furthermore, the negative relation between legal independence and inflation is larger in countries with checks and balances than in countries without checks and balances.

Abstract: Etwas salopp gesagt, bietet die Welt seit Menschengedenken simultane Hör- und Seherlebnisse: Ich sehe einen Löwen und höre ihn brüllen - falls ich im rechten Moment am richtigen Ort bin. Im Laufe des 20. Jahrhunderts gelang es, solche simultane Hör- und Sehereignisse mit technisch produzierten Bild- und Tonaufnahmen für ein praktisch unbegrenzt grosses Massenpublikum so zu inszenieren, dass die Orts- und Zeitgebundenheit aufgehoben wurde. Heute lassen sich Töne und Bildpunkte bzw. -pixels individuell zu beliebiger Zeit generieren, beispielsweise ab einer Video-Kassette oder online über das Internet, so dass ich jederzeit einen Löwen hören und sehen könnte.

Abstract: The spread of the Internet is leading to irreversible changes in the existing structures of the economy, management and society. The aim of this long term empirical study is to document and interpret structural changes resulting from the establishment of electronic market places. Hypotheses describing these changes form the starting point for this study, and their accuracy will be tested using regular, repeated opinion surveys. The basis of this study was laid with a first extensive survey, and at intervals of two years follow-up surveys will be made.

Abstract: Ignazio Gardella ist am 16. März 1999 kurz vor seinem 95. Geburtstag in seinem Haus in Oleggio verstorben. Seine Bauten spiegeln die Entwicklung der Architektur Italiens vom Rationalismus bis heute. Gardella verfolgte keine dogmatische Theorie, sondern beteiligte sich aktiv als Doyen am architektonischen Diskurs.

Abstract: Das Schweizerische Wirtschaftsarchiv in Basel (SWA) sammelt seit seiner Gründung im Jahre 1910 Akten aus dem Bereich der Wirtschaft. In drei Abteilungen finden sich auch Akten, welche die Beziehungen der Schweiz mit der Dritten Welt dokumentieren.

Abstract: The conditional influence of the European Parliament (EP) in the co-operation procedure is a recognized empirical phenomenon in the literature. One explanation for such conditional influence is that the Parliament can successfully propose amendments only when the restriction which it faces changes during the decision-making process. We explore this argument and find that it is able to explain the influence of the EP in the decision on car emission standards.

Abstract: Regional integration agreements are commonplace in the world today. In 1996 there were 88 such agreements worldwide, covering a variety of forms from declarations of intent to unilateral preferential trade agreements, free trade treaties, customs unions, and the common market with its freedom of movement for labour and capital. Which factors have contributed to the great popularity of regional integration agreements?

Abstract: I provide a public choice-based explanation of why the European Parliament is sometimes influential in the cooperation procedure. While a conservative Parliament can use its right of rejections to block a decision effectively whenever there is no consent in the Council, a Parliament in favor of change can successfully use its amendment right in the second reading whenever the constraints have been changed unexpectedly since the adoption of the common position such as to create an amendment win set. Then, the European Parliament can choose its most preferred policy in this set which is supported by the Commission, cannot be changed by the Council and is preferred against the status quo by a qualified majority in the Council.

Abstract: Die gezielte Suche nach Information wird zu einer zentralen Aufgabe im WWW - und mit dem Wachstum des Internet immer komplexer, wie ein Vergleich gängiger Suchsysteme zeigt.

Abstract: Switzerland has long been admired for its political stability. Swiss politics is predictable in the sense that major policy changes are regarded as very unlikely to occur. This characteristic proved to be a major advantage because it provided stable property rights. In recent years, however, Swiss economic policy has been criticized for its lack of actions in face of worldwide deregulation which has eroded traditional advantages of Switzer-land (see for example BORNER, BRUNETTI and STRAUBHAAR 1990). The same groups that benefitted from the political stability, now seem to be harmed by its immobility. Not surprisingly, a number of proposals have been advanced that aim at changing the political process (BORNER, BRUNETTI and STRAUBHAAR 1990,1994, BORNER, PORTER, WEDER andENRlGHT 1991, GERMANN 1990 and 1994, KLEINEWEFERS 1995, KÖLZ and MÜLLER 1990, LINDER 1994, MOSER 1991, WITTMANN 1992) and some of these proposals have been included in the recent proposition for a new Constitution by the Federal Govern-ment (BUNDESRAT, 1995). However, all these proposals are ad hoc in the sense that they are not based on a comprehensive and theoretically rigorous analysis of the political system. In this paper, I take a first step into this direction by applying a methodology that allows to analyze major aspects of the Swiss political system.

Abstract: Mit Hilfe räumlicher Modelle der Entscheidungsanalyse zeigt der Autor auf, welche Auswirkungen die Einführung von Gesetzesinitiative und Verfassungsgerichtsbarkeit auf die Berechenbarkeit und Konsistenz politischer Entscheidungen hat. Grundlegend ist, dass ein Trade-off zwischen Handlungsmöglichkeiten und Berechenbarkeit besteht. Die gegenwärtigen Entscheidungsregeln mit der Dominanz des Gesetzgebungsprozesses mit seinem dreifachen Zustimmungserfordernis (beide Parlamentskammern plus fakultatives Referendum) führen zu sehr dauerhaften Entscheidungen. Demgegenüber würde die Einführung von Verfassungsgerichtsbarkeit und allgemeiner Volksinitiative die bestehende Gewaltenteilung grundlegend verändern und mehr Handlungsmöglichkeiten schaffen, aber auch die Gefahr instabiler und inkonsistenter Entscheidugen erhöhen. Einen mittleren Weg stellt die Schaffung der Verfassungsgerichtsbarkeit ohne gleichzeitige Einführung eines Vorschlagsrechtes von Gesetzen dar, wenn die Einheit der Materie strikt durchgesetzt wird.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2945846 

Abstract: Tsebelis (1994) argues in the American Political Science Review that the European Parliament has important power due to its right as a conditional agenda setter. I claim that Tsebelis' argument is based either on an incomplete analysis or on inaccurately specified decision rules. An accurate modeling of the cooperation procedure as stated in Article 189c of the Treaty of the European Community and as applied in practice changes the results considerably. Based on such a model, I provide an explanation of why the European Parliament sometimes can make successful amendments.