Work

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Intergovernmental Earmarking Grants: Insights From the German Higher-Education Pact

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: In federal systems, the relationship between central governments and constituent states increasingly hinges on intergovernmental grants-in-aid. Central governments are progressively leveraging conditional grants to advance supra-regional interests, necessitating co-financing by recipient states. This paper examines the impact of such arrangements through an analysis of the multi-billion Euro Higher Education Pact (“Hochschulpakt”) in Germany, which aims to bolster higher education. The study explores the efficacy of central government efforts in achieving broader societal objectives. Our findings highlight several design flaws within the program and empirically demonstrate the emergence of unintended consequences. This research also enhances the understanding of state behavior in response to federal funding initiatives.

Source: State and Local Government Review

DOI: 10.1177/0160323x241274263

Author: Salvatore Barbaro

Institution: Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Language: English

Topic: Local Government Finance and Decentralization

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Quality education

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W4402939258

FWCI: 1.641

Cites: 36

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10