Evolving goals of EU state aid policy and possible lessons for China: A law and economics approach

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

Abstract

This chapter discusses one of the main areas of EU competition law: State aid. Like other areas of EU competition law, such as abuse of dominance and merger control, there is a clear shift towards a ‘more economic approach’ and a stronger focus on efficiency. However, this stronger focus on efficiency with regard to a politically sensitive area such as State aid is not self-evident, and also raises the question why other jurisdictions do not have a similar control over market intervention by States (US) or provinces (China). It also raises the question whether controlling the efficiency of government spending should be a task of the EU rather than Member States. The aim of this chapter is therefore to critically assess the changing goals of EU State aid policy, from market integration and equity to efficiency and fiscal discipline. Possible implications for China are also discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRegulatory reform in China and the EU
Subtitle of host publicationA law and economics perspective
EditorsStefan E. Weishaar, Niels J. Philipsen, Wenming Xu
Place of PublicationCheltenham
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing
Pages139-162
ISBN (Print)978-17-8536-853-0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Aug 2017

Publication series

SeriesNew Horizons in Law and Economics

Keywords

  • State aid
  • Policy goals
  • European Union
  • Law and Economics

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