Zwischen Effizienz und Ausgleich Eine volkswirtschaftliche Sicht auf Stadt und Land am Beispiel der Schweiz

Regional policy in Switzerland is in the throes of upheaval. Within the context of regional development policy, this article attempts to outline the arguments in favour of the strict allocation perspective in respect of scarce resources. However, empirical reality tells a different story. Fiscal federalism is not able to deploy its full argument because of the existence of various spatial externalities; this provides justification for politics to provide redistribution measures to assist disadvantaged regions. However, redistribution should be organised efficiently. The multitude of interdependencies and spillovers between urban and rura[ spaces makes it almost impossible to make a clear-cut distinction in cost-benefit terms between favoured and disadvantaged areas and regions.