Policy Change under New Democratic Capitalism [Hardcover]

Democratic capitalism in developed countries has been facing an unprecedented crisis since 2008. Its political manageability is declining sharply. Both democracy and capitalism now involve crucial risks that are significantly more serious than those observed in earlier periods. The notion of policy regimes has gained new significance in analysing the possibilities for a post-neoliberal alternative. Policy innovations directed towards an economic breakthrough require both political leadership and a new economic theory. The processes of political decision making have become quite distant from the public realm, and a limited number of economic and political elites exert influence on public policy.

This book examines, from a policy regime perspective, how developed countries attempt to achieve such a breakthrough at critical junctures triggered by economic crises. It initially assesses the nature of the present crisis and identifies the actors involved. Thereafter, it provides an analytical definition of a crisis, stressing that most crises contain within them the potential to be turned into an opportunity. Finally, it presents a new analytical design in which we can incorporate todays more globalized and fluid context.

I.Introduction

1.New Models of Democratic Capitalism and Policy Regime Change (Hideko Magara)

II.Models of New Democratic Capitalism

2.Crisis, Oportunity and Democracy in Contemporary Europe (Philippe Schmitter)

3.The Rise of the European Consolidation State (Wolfgang Streeck)

4.Cost of Democracy: Changing Aspects of Modern Democracy (Hiroshi Shiratori)

5.Institutional Change and Regime Crisis: A Critical Viewpoint on Neoliberalism (Toshio Yamada)

III.Comparative analyses

6.The Political-Economic Implications of De-industrialization wilC#