This book has been written while the author was a member of the
long-term research program "Internationalization of the Economy"
(Sonderforschungsbereich 178) at the University of Konstanz. Its
subject, the harmonization of commodity taxes in the European
Community's internal market, has been intensely - and controversially -
debated among both economists and legal scholars. The interdisciplinary
contacts in the research program have contributed to the shape of the
present study, even though the analysis is confined to the economic
aspects involved. lowe sincere thanks to my academic teacher, Professor
Bernd Genser, who con- stantly supported this work with both general
advice and detailed comments and who created within his research unit a
stimulating and cooperative environment. Professor Albert Schweinberger
shared some of his expertise on trade issues with me and made a number
of valuable suggestions. I am also grateful to Professor Hans- Jurgen
Vosgerau for his successful efforts to create favorable working
conditions, and for support on several occasions. I have further
benefitted from discussions with both members and non-members of the
research program in Konstanz. Helpful comments and suggestions were re-
ceived from Max Albert, Professor John Chipman, Karl-Josef Koch,
Professor Wil- helm Kohler, Jurgen Meckl, Gunther Schulze, Professor
John Whalley, and Professor Wolfgang Wiegard. Stefan Menner introduced
to me the legal perspective on tax har- monization and helped me to
overcome at least some of the barriers of specialization.