The debate on the competences between the EU and its member states has risen in line with the most recent financial and debt crisis. While some supporter of the EU argue that its competences are still too small to face the future role of the EU in the competition of nations, Europe-skeptic lobbies hold the opinion that the existing institutions and competences are already too far reaching. It is the aim of this project to develop ideas for an objectification. Using verifiable criteria, the project answers the question of the optimal allocation of tasks between the EU and its member states under current conditions such as the existing economic and monetary union and rising global competition. There are two main parts: First, the relevant literature is reviewed and classified with respect to different schools of thought and scientific disciplines. Second, various methods of analysis are identified and evaluated concerning their practical applicability.