Tel. +44 (0)20 7287 4414
Email. info@brugesgroup.com
Tel. +44 (0)20 7287 4414
Email. info@brugesgroup.com
The Bruges Group spearheaded the intellectual battle to win a vote to leave the European Union and, above all, against the emergence of a centralised EU state.
The Bruges Group spearheaded the intellectual battle to win a vote to leave the European Union and, above all, against the emergence of a centralised EU state.
Image
Image
Image
Image

Bruges Group Blog

Spearheading the intellectual battle against the EU. And for new thinking in international affairs.

On the Level Playing Field

Unlevel-Playing-field

Roland Vaubel

Professor emeritus of Economics

Universitaet Mannheim

Germany


Mr. Barnier seems to misunderstand the argument for maintaining a level playing field. The laws of a country, above all, ought to reflect the preferences of its people. It follows that the laws ought to differ between countries if, and to the extent that, the preferences of their peoples differ. This is true regardless of whether these laws affect the international competitiveness of the economy. Mr. Barnier's call for a level playing field between the UK and the EU rests on the dubious and testable assumption that they share the same preferences.


The preferences of the people are part of the given endowment of the economy, determining the country's comparative advantage which ought to guide the international division of labour. In this role, the preferences of the people are comparable to the country's natural environment which also affects competitiveness.Different countries have different natural environments but there is no need, and indeed no way, to create a level playing field in this respect. Finally, even with regard to common European aims, why should any country be prevented from adopting a law that is more appropriate for the purpose than the laws of its neighbours? 


Font size: +
Print

Contact us

Director : Robert Oulds
Tel: 020 7287 4414
Chairman: Barry Legg
 
The Bruges Group
246 Linen Hall, 162-168 Regent Street
London W1B 5TB
United Kingdom
KEY PERSONNEL
 
Founder President :
The Rt Hon. the Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven LG, OM, FRS 
Vice-President : The Rt Hon. the Lord Lamont of Lerwick,
Chairman: Barry Legg
Director : Robert Oulds MA, FRSA
Washington D.C. Representative : John O'Sullivan CBE
Founder Chairman : Lord Harris of High Cross
Head of Media: Jack Soames