Paul de Beer - Böcker

In this incisive book, Paul de Beer interrogates the concept of the labour market and its theoretical shortcomings in treating labour as a commodity. He argues that to offer people a real chance of a satisfactory work life, the idea of the labour market must be replaced with a focus on long-term employment relationships.The Labour Market Myth thoroughly critiques the standard economic approach to employment markets, highlighting how it fails to explain the most pressing problems regarding work and income. Presenting empirical data on diverse aspects of work across a range of affluent countries, De Beer explores issues such as wage differences, long-term unemployment, discrimination against particular groups, and a misplaced emphasis on short-term flexibility and mobility. Ultimately, De Beer advocates for an understanding of employment built upon concepts of intrinsic motivation, cooperation, stability, and long-term relationships, rather than financial incentives and competition.Combining insights from across the social sciences, The Labour Market Myth is a fascinating read for postgraduate students and scholars of labour economics and policy, as well as the sociology of work. It also offers fresh perspectives for those involved in labour relations, such as policy advisors, civil servants, and trade union officials.

This fascinating book presents an in-depth study of the particular combination of unemployment insurance, employment protection and active labour market policies prevalent in seven European countries.Currently, European governments are being challenged to find an optimal social policy strategy that fosters 'flexicurity', whereby a flexible, well-functioning labour market is achieved, while protection for workers is maintained. The contributors explore the formal laws and regulations, as well as the administration and implementation of social policy, paying special attention to the role of the social partners. A detailed country comparison shows that the combination of social policy instruments is important to labour market performance, but that multiple optimal mixes already appear to exist.The Labour Market Triangle will prove invaluable to academics in the field of policy research, including economists, sociologists and political scientists. Policy advisers and practitioners in the field of social policy, as well as representatives of trade unions, employers associations and political parties will find this multidisciplinary book of great interest.