How Political, Spatial, and Administrative Changes Shape the Local Level – Evidence from Municipalities

In three distinct empirical essays, this thesis investigates various aspects of regional development using data from Germany and Austria. Chapter 2 investigates how far-right populist mayors influence local political culture and economic outcomes. Chapter 3 examines how highway access affects commuting and employment in connected municipalities. Chapter 4 investigates the consequences of municipal mergers on fiscal equalization transfers. The chapters employ regression discontinuity, difference-in-differences, and event study estimations to answer the respective research questions.