Ökonomische Folgen des Krieges

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Since states have been fighting for power, they have used economic tactics in addition to military ones. Such trade policy measures for geopolitical purposes are discussed below. On the basis of Russia’s war of aggression, the West can justify these interventions in free trade. Companies do not internalise power-political effects, therefore states should reduce these security policy externalities.
</abstract>

War by Other Means

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Sanctions represent a prominent coercive tool that has been utilised extensively in addressing political tensions between nations. These measures are imposed both unilaterally and in alliances of states, and have become increasingly prevalent since the Second World War. In the previous century, particularly before the WWII, trade restrictions and comprehensive economic blockades were the dominant tools to sanction. In contrast, in today’s more interconnected and globalised world, sanctions take on a variety of forms, such as international financial restrictions, travel bans, trade restrictions on specific goods, cancellation of military aid, and targeted measures like flight bans and port closures. The increasing demand for and use of international sanctions raises a fundamental question: Do sanctions lead to political success?
</abstract>

The Economic Effects of Sanctions – Clout, Achievement of Objectives, Side Effects

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

There is currently a geopoliticisation of foreign policy, which is primarily driven by dependencies on autocratic systems. Autocracies are constantly on the rise, especially when measured by the percentage distribution of the world population. Even though the EU still trades with significantly more democracies than autocracies, trade relations with autocracies are often characterised by strong dependencies, especially with regard to critical raw materials such as lithium or magnesium. This also applies to the market for medical products, where China in particular uses its position as the main supplier to expand its geopolitical influence. This, together with the fact that autocracies are generally more likely to impose trade restrictions than democracies, means that the EU needs a strategy for how to handle trade with autocratic regimes in the future.
</abstract>

A Turning Point for Foreign Economic Policy

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

After a year of multiple crises, an initial assessment is made of the crisis management and the risks and challenges that are still to be expected. Evidence of this is provided by the Russian war’s effects on gas and electricity. As a benchmark for the necessary structural changes, reference is made to the current perspectives on sustainable transformations in energy and production. Finally, the previous practice of crisis management and its theoretical foundation are examined. Deficits in economic concepts, economic policy instruments and goal-oriented innovations are identified.
</abstract>

Do Multiple Crisis Situations Also Reveal Deficits in Political and Economic Concepts?

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The Ukraine and Russia play important roles for global food security as major exporters of agri-food products. The study of Berndt et al. (2022) uses global computable equilibrium models to analyse how the war in Ukraine could affect global agri-food prices and finds that export restrictions from Ukraine and Russia can considerably increase global grain and oilseed prices. In the long-run, these price increases can be reduced through increased production and exports from other countries. However, some price increases, especially for sunflower oil, would remain permanent.
</abstract>

Potential Effects of the War in Ukraine on the Global Agri-food Sector

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Supply chain disruptions related to the Ukraine war have led to a decline in wheat exports from Russia and Ukraine to African countries, which has been largely offset by an increase in wheat exports from other countries. However, fears that disruptions in the grain supply chain will be exacerbated by Russia’s use of grain exports as a weapon and the expansion of economic and financial sanctions by Western countries, as well as the threat of the termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, have greatly increased risks in the global grain supply chain. Food security in African countries has therefore been mainly negatively affected by rising food prices, which have limited access to food and thus food security.
</abstract>

Grain Trade and Export Restrictions During the Ukraine War

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The Ukraine war has had some serious impacts on international agricultural markets, as both Ukraine and Russia play an important role in the world market. Even before the war began, grain prices were high, indicating an already tight supply situation due to pandemic, climate extremes and regional armed conflicts. EU agricultural policy has reacted to ease the situation created by the war. The following article discusses the three potential policy reactions: 1) the suspension of fallow land as an agri-environmental measure, 2) the suspension of biofuel-blending and 3) the reduction of meat consumption.
</abstract>

Impact of the Ukraine War on the EU Agricultural Policy

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The current Russian aggression against Ukraine caused additional global food insecurity in an already critical situation regarding prices and hunger. This additional burden exacerbates the situation that is in turn worsened by typical crisis reactions of large export countries, i.e. by restricting exports. To respond adequately to the current crisis, a broad set of policy measures is needed in several policy areas (e.g. trade, transport, humanitarian and agricultural policy). In the case of the EU, these may be characterised by a division of competencies between the EU and its member states. Especially in acute crises, this may hinder fast and coherent responses. To improve coordination, a better use of already existing impact assessment tools for policy decisions can help.
</abstract>

Political Challenges, Options for Action Used and Approaches for Improvement

AHEAD OF PRINT

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Wirtschaftsdienst

Wirtschaftsdienst is the leading academic journal for current debates on German economic policy, linking economic theory and economic policy practice. The monthly German-language journal, published by the ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, publishes a wide range of articles by renowned authors from academia and policymaking circles with evidence-based answers to current economic and social policy issues, such as trade, environmental and monetary policy, in Germany and the European Union. Wirtschaftsdienst builds a bridge between science and practice, providing readers with scientifically sound and clear information on current economic policy issues. The journal, which was first published in 1916, is one of the most well-established economic journals in its field. Since 2020, Wirtschaftsdienst has been published in Gold Open Access in order to offer everyone the opportunity to read all articles freely online. Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 

Volume 103 (2023): Issue 13 (April 2023) - Konferenzheft 2023