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Our Publications

All Policy Paper Studies Discussion Paper Spotlight

Our Policy Papers analyse pressing social policy challenges and outline concrete courses of action.

They are directed  at decision-makers in politics and public administration, combining a solid  empirical basis with political feasibility. 

The aim is to present complex developments in an accessible way and to put forward constructive options for debate. 

Current Publications

  • Policy Paper

When it comes to citizen's income and minimum wage, there is often a lack of realistic reference values. Data is needed on what people need to live a decent life. Greater participation can make needs visible and legitimise decisions.

Read now
  • Policy Paper

With the aim of providing unbureaucratic and rapid social aid in times of crisis, the federal government is focusing on relief measures that do not require a means test. How do citizens view the abolition of means testing? What influences the acceptance of this type of policy?

Read now
  • Policy Paper

When it comes to citizen's income and minimum wage, there is often a lack of realistic reference values. Data is needed on what people need to live a decent life. Greater participation can make needs visible and legitimise decisions.

Read now
  • Policy Paper

With the aim of providing unbureaucratic and rapid social aid in times of crisis, the federal government is focusing on relief measures that do not require a means test. How do citizens view the abolition of means testing? What influences the acceptance of this type of policy?

Read now

Publication

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  • Policy Paper
  • 4 Authors

The Minimum Living Standard

When it comes to citizen's income and minimum wage, there is often a lack of realistic reference values. Data is needed on what people need to live a decent life. Greater participation can make needs visible and legitimise decisions.

  • Policy Paper
  • 2 Authors

Lack of Trust as a Challenge of Our Time

Germans' trust has been shaken: both their trust in politics and their trust in their fellow citizens has declined significantly in recent years – exacerbated by the COVID crisis. Our policy paper identifies characteristics and factors that make policies and institutions trust-building, and examines how basic social security can be designed to exploit its great potential for building trust.

  • Policy Paper
  • 6 Authors

Social Aid in Times of Crisis

With the aim of providing unbureaucratic and rapid social aid in times of crisis, the federal government is focusing on relief measures that do not require a means test. How do citizens view the abolition of means testing? What influences the acceptance of this type of policy?

  • Policy Paper
  • 3 Authors

Social Policies are Democratic Policies

In Germany, unemployed citizens are in democratic retreat. One possible lever is social policy: previously unpublished data from the Finnish basic income experiment shows how social security can influence voter turnout.

  • Policy Paper
  • 2 Authors

Hidden Poverty

Not claiming basic income support leads to hidden poverty, social inequality and, indirectly, even lower standard rates for everyone. We have investigated why people choose not to claim it and how a basic income could help solve the problem.

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