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This book analyses how the economic crisis in the 1970s led to the erosion of the regulated type of capitalism that came to be in place after World War II, and paved the way to a Neoliberal Globalisation. Deep structural institutional changes especially in the field of financial markets, labour markets and the international economy became the basis for a liberal type of capitalism which included financial markets in a dominant role. The new neoliberal model fundamentally changed the conditions for all macroeconomic policies. In this book, these macroeconomic policy regimes are discussed on a theoretical level. Macroeconomic Policy Regimes in Western Industrial Countries explains how certain countries have created a more liberal and market-based type of capitalism. The emphasis throughout is on how understanding macroeconomic policies, and the institutional framework in which they operate, is vital to understanding the long-run dynamics of a capitalist economy. The policy regimes that are examined consist of changes in the financial system, monetary policy, fiscal policy, wage policy, and changes in distribution and foreign economic policy. The argument emerges that this deregulated type of capitalism is unacceptably unstable and is only preferable to a minority. Moving on from the finance-driven development of recent decades, the authors take a look at the need for fundamental reforms, including institutional reforms in the areas of national and international financial and labour markets. Case studies from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan dating from the 1970s up to today provide the reader with clear examples and analysis of the development in question. This book will be of interest to postgraduates and researchers of economics and political science.

The recent crisis, created by finance capitalism, has brought us to the economic abyss. The excessive freedom of international markets has rapidly transformed into international panic, with states struggling to rescue and bail out a globalised financial sector. Reform is promised by our leaders, but in governments dominated by financial interests there is little hope of meaningful change.Decent Capitalism argues for a response that addresses capitalism’s systemic tendency towards crisis, a tendency which is completely absent from the mainstream debate. The authors develop a concept of a moderated capitalism that keeps its core strengths intact while reducing its inherent destructive political force in our societies. This book argues that reforming the capitalist system will have to be far more radical than the current political discourse suggests.Decent Capitalism is a concept and a slogan that will inspire political activists, trade unionists and policy makers to get behind a package of reforms that finally allows the majority to master capitalism.

The recent crisis, created by finance capitalism, has brought us to the economic abyss. The excessive freedom of international markets has rapidly transformed into international panic, with states struggling to rescue and bail out a globalised financial sector. Reform is promised by our leaders, but in governments dominated by financial interests there is little hope of meaningful change.Decent Capitalism argues for a response that addresses capitalism’s systemic tendency towards crisis, a tendency which is completely absent from the mainstream debate. The authors develop a concept of a moderated capitalism that keeps its core strengths intact while reducing its inherent destructive political force in our societies. This book argues that reforming the capitalist system will have to be far more radical than the current political discourse suggests.Decent Capitalism is a concept and a slogan that will inspire political activists, trade unionists and policy makers to get behind a package of reforms that finally allows the majority to master capitalism.

Economic inequality has recently gained considerable academic attention. However, two important aspects of inequality have not been discussed systematically: its multidimensional nature and the question of what can be done to reverse it. This book offers insights from scholars representing the Global Labour University, which operates in Brazil, Germany, India, South Africa and the US. They analyse the various drivers of inequality, assess policy responses, and discuss counterstrategies. The main findings of this book are that rising levels of inequality cannot be addressed only with the standard policies responses, namely education, redistribution and ‘green growth’. In addition, the way markets currently function needs to be corrected. The chapters in this volume focus on specific fields of contemporary capitalism where important drivers of inequality are located, for example, the labour market; the financial system; the tax system; multi-national corporations; and gender relations. Other chapters discuss in detail where political opportunities for change lie. They critically assess existing countermeasures; the idea of a ‘green economy’ and its implications for inequality; and existing campaigns by trade unions and new social movements against inequality. In line with the global nature of the problem, this book contains case studies on countries both from the north and south with considerable economic and political weight. This book provides academics, political practitioners and civil society activists with a range of ideas on how to drive back inequality. It will be of interest to those who study political economy, development economy and labour economics.

This book analyses how the economic crisis in the 1970s led to the erosion of the regulated type of capitalism that came to be in place after World War II, and paved the way to a Neoliberal Globalisation. Deep structural institutional changes especially in the field of financial markets, labour markets and the international economy became the basis for a liberal type of capitalism which included financial markets in a dominant role. The new neoliberal model fundamentally changed the conditions for all macroeconomic policies. In this book, these macroeconomic policy regimes are discussed on a theoretical level. Macroeconomic Policy Regimes in Western Industrial Countries explains how certain countries have created a more liberal and market-based type of capitalism. The emphasis throughout is on how understanding macroeconomic policies, and the institutional framework in which they operate, is vital to understanding the long-run dynamics of a capitalist economy. The policy regimes that are examined consist of changes in the financial system, monetary policy, fiscal policy, wage policy, and changes in distribution and foreign economic policy. The argument emerges that this deregulated type of capitalism is unacceptably unstable and is only preferable to a minority. Moving on from the finance-driven development of recent decades, the authors take a look at the need for fundamental reforms, including institutional reforms in the areas of national and international financial and labour markets. Case studies from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan dating from the 1970s up to today provide the reader with clear examples and analysis of the development in question. This book will be of interest to postgraduates and researchers of economics and political science.

Economic inequality has recently gained considerable academic attention. However, two important aspects of inequality have not been discussed systematically: its multidimensional nature and the question of what can be done to reverse it. This book offers insights from scholars representing the Global Labour University, which operates in Brazil, Germany, India, South Africa and the US. They analyse the various drivers of inequality, assess policy responses, and discuss counterstrategies. The main findings of this book are that rising levels of inequality cannot be addressed only with the standard policies responses, namely education, redistribution and ‘green growth’. In addition, the way markets currently function needs to be corrected. The chapters in this volume focus on specific fields of contemporary capitalism where important drivers of inequality are located, for example, the labour market; the financial system; the tax system; multi-national corporations; and gender relations. Other chapters discuss in detail where political opportunities for change lie. They critically assess existing countermeasures; the idea of a ‘green economy’ and its implications for inequality; and existing campaigns by trade unions and new social movements against inequality. In line with the global nature of the problem, this book contains case studies on countries both from the north and south with considerable economic and political weight. This book provides academics, political practitioners and civil society activists with a range of ideas on how to drive back inequality. It will be of interest to those who study political economy, development economy and labour economics.

In Macroeconomic Problems of Transformation a distinguished group of economists examines the cause of the dramatic output collapse in the transforming economies of Eastern Europe and formulates policies to promote economic recovery.Drawing on scholarship from East and West, this book features discussion of such important aspects of the transformation process as the role of monetary policy, fiscal crises, exchange rate policies and privatization. In particular, several authors stress the importance of dealing with the distortions still existing in financial sectors and argue that export-led growth may be a potential driving force of accumulation in the economies currently in transition. The causes and consequences of the current fiscal crises are analysed, as are the processes of wage formation and privatization, in each case combining theoretical insight with empirical findings from the transforming economies. Later papers make comparisons with the reconstruction after the Second World War, discuss the effects of different exchange rate policies and consider the role of Western economies in promoting growth in Central and Eastern Europe.

This book investigates how global value chain governance, public institutions and strategies in the area of industrial policy and industrial relations by stakeholders such as national or global trade unions, governments, companies or international NGOs shape upgrading in the Global South. A special feature is its interdisciplinarity, combining sociological, economic, legal and political dimensions. Case studies systematically compare different industry trajectories. Furthermore, it encompasses far-reaching insights into the role of global value chains for development, economic catching-up of countries and socio-political aspects such as working conditions and interest representation.

This book investigates how global value chain governance, public institutions and strategies in the area of industrial policy and industrial relations by stakeholders such as national or global trade unions, governments, companies or international NGOs shape upgrading in the Global South. A special feature is its interdisciplinarity, combining sociological, economic, legal and political dimensions. Case studies systematically compare different industry trajectories. Furthermore, it encompasses far-reaching insights into the role of global value chains for development, economic catching-up of countries and socio-political aspects such as working conditions and interest representation.

In light of the resurgence of inflation in developed industrialised countries following a period of inordinately low inflation, this book analyses the causes and devastating effects of inflation by drawing lessons from the past. Focusing on the German hyperinflation of the 1920s and the inflationary waves of the 1970s, it examines the resulting economic crises and their influence on the subsequent periods of social and political turmoil, namely the fascism of the 1930s and the neoliberal revolution of the 1980s. Featuring five detailed case studies on inflationary waves in various countries in the 1970s, the book identifies economic policy errors of the past, seeking to prevent their recurrence. Offering empirical and theoretical insights alike, the authors present strategies for effectively combating inflation and deflation. In turn, the book assesses the complex ties between wage increases, income distribution, and price changes, ultimately providing valuable recommendations on how wage policy can be used to stabilise price level increases at a low level in a world characterised by diverse and extreme economic shocks.“The Resurgence of Inflation” fosters a vital discourse on wage and price dynamics, economic development and the role of trade unions, making it an essential read for policymakers, economists, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of today’s economic challenges.

In light of the resurgence of inflation in developed industrialised countries following a period of inordinately low inflation, this book analyses the causes and devastating effects of inflation by drawing lessons from the past. Focusing on the German hyperinflation of the 1920s and the inflationary waves of the 1970s, it examines the resulting economic crises and their influence on the subsequent periods of social and political turmoil, namely the fascism of the 1930s and the neoliberal revolution of the 1980s. Featuring five detailed case studies on inflationary waves in various countries in the 1970s, the book identifies economic policy errors of the past, seeking to prevent their recurrence. Offering empirical and theoretical insights alike, the authors present strategies for effectively combating inflation and deflation. In turn, the book assesses the complex ties between wage increases, income distribution, and price changes, ultimately providing valuable recommendations on how wage policy can be used to stabilise price level increases at a low level in a world characterised by diverse and extreme economic shocks.“The Resurgence of Inflation” fosters a vital discourse on wage and price dynamics, economic development and the role of trade unions, making it an essential read for policymakers, economists, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of today’s economic challenges.

This book provides an up-to-date overview of the development of the German financial system, with a particular focus on financialization and the financial crisis, topics that have increasingly gained attention since the crisis and the discussion on the secular stagnation started. The authors of the book—economists who have conducted extensive research in this area—offer a perspective on the financial system in the context of its importance for the overall economic system. The book not only provides detailed insights into Germany’s financial system; it also takes a broader perspective on finance and connects it with current macroeconomic developments in Germany.

This book provides an up-to-date overview of the development of the German financial system, with a particular focus on financialization and the financial crisis, topics that have increasingly gained attention since the crisis and the discussion on the secular stagnation started. The authors of the book—economists who have conducted extensive research in this area—offer a perspective on the financial system in the context of its importance for the overall economic system. The book not only provides detailed insights into Germany’s financial system; it also takes a broader perspective on finance and connects it with current macroeconomic developments in Germany.