Social Democracy and Labour Market Policy: Developments in Britain and Germany

by Knut Roder

Overview

This highly topical study reflects on the current problems faced by social democratic parties in government when espousing policies of severe pragmatism and fiscal prudence, and provides an historical medium-term perspective to both parties'substantial changes in labour market policies. There is now a good deal of interest in the Third Way and the Neue Mitte, and this book provides much needed empirical detail, and solid analysis of the substance of these ideas. It will be of great interest to students and researchers in comparative politics, social democracy and economic policy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415299770
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/20/2003
Series:	Routledge Research in Comparative Politics Series
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Knut Roder teaches Political Economy at Saint Louis University, Madrid Campus and is an Invited Scholar at the Instituto Juan March - Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Ciencias Sociales, Madrid.

Table of Contents

Introduction: social democracy under pressure, The aims of this book, Methods and the quantitative and qualitative approach to programme analysis, Theoretical aspects: linking historical institutionalism with the decline of the Keynesian paradigm PART I Changing conditions for policy design 1 Challenges of post-war social democracy 2 Inside the party: changing conditions and strategies 3 Institutional constraints on party behaviour: Keynesian v. neo-liberal paradigms PART II The development of labour market policy 4 The development of labour market policy in Britain and Germany 5 Trends in policy convergence: findings from party documents 6 Policy reform and policy change: a comparative perspective PART III Conclusions 7 Converging social democratic strategy

Editorial Reviews

'Knut Roder has written a rich academic book which documents a careful and comprehensive research process. It should be of interest not only to specialists in labour market policy and social democracy, but also more generally to students and scholars in the field of political scientists.' - Per Kongshøj, University of Copenhagen, West European Politics

From the Publisher