This thesis explores how fiscal capacity and political tradition influence the industrial policy preferences of EU member states. In the context of recent geopolitical shifts and the relaxation of...Show moreThis thesis explores how fiscal capacity and political tradition influence the industrial policy preferences of EU member states. In the context of recent geopolitical shifts and the relaxation of EU state aid rules, concerns have risen regarding market fragmentation and unequal benefits among member states. By analysing the positions of Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Italy, the study demonstrates that fiscal capacity significantly shapes national stances, often in alignment with material interests. However, it also reveals that political tradition can modulate policy preferences in significant ways, leading to different outcomes for similar material circumstances. Germany and France, with higher fiscal capacities, show policy preferences that reflect their financial strengths, nuanced by their political traditions. Conversely, Italy and the Netherlands, with lower fiscal capacities, exhibit policy preferences driven by fiscal constraints modulated by ideological orientations. The research underscores the interplay between economic realities and political cultures, suggesting that future EU policy debates will be influenced by both fiscal capacity and deeply ingrained political traditions. This nuanced understanding provides insights into the complexity of the dynamics that drive EU industrial policy formulation.Show less
This thesis investigates the link between the PRC's Anti-Monopoly Law and its broader economic development goals. The research illustrates that there is a link between these two. The Chinese Anti...Show moreThis thesis investigates the link between the PRC's Anti-Monopoly Law and its broader economic development goals. The research illustrates that there is a link between these two. The Chinese Anti-Monopoly Law, a law that is mainly targeted towards Chinese Platform companies, is argued having a strong control mechanism towards Chinese Platform companies. This controlling mechanism can guide Platform companies in the PRC government's economic and technology interests.Show less
Industrial policy has become one of the most pressing issues in contemporary policymaking. State intervention in the market has long been considered irrelevant, irreprehensible, or unsuccessful,...Show moreIndustrial policy has become one of the most pressing issues in contemporary policymaking. State intervention in the market has long been considered irrelevant, irreprehensible, or unsuccessful, but the recent crises, including the pandemic, have boosted its name amongst policymakers across the world. However, the academic literature on industrial policies within comparative political policy literature is still lacking, and would benefit from more research. Taking an exploratory comparative approach, this thesis research variations of industrial policies related to the management of lithium-ion battery value chains in the United States and the European Union. Several researchers have observed different types policies that have been put forward by policymakers to strengthen global value chains, but these analyses have been lacking a strong link with theoretical frameworks on industrial policy and policy instrument literature. This research fills the gap by linking academic literature on industrial policy, value chain resilience, and policy instruments analysis to provide constructive insights into existing policy proposals and documents. This thesis finds a strong link between the historical preferences of governments in industrial policy mixes and the specific policies put forward to strengthen lithium-ion value chains. It indicates that, although resilience policies of the United States and the European Union are in line with industrial policy in other areas, there are shifts in the instrument mix that warrant future research to improve our understanding of industrial policy in the twenty-first century.Show less
