Wage Setting, Social Pacts and the Euro A New Role for the State [Paperback]

Politicians, economists, and social theorists tend to agree that globalization and neo-liberal economic policy have contributed to the decline of the social compacts underlying traditional European welfare states. Recently, however, social pacts have demonstrated an impressive resurgence, as governments across Europe facing necessary economic policy adjustments have chosen to view trade unions as vital negotiating partners rather than adversaries.Wage Setting, Social Pacts, and the Eurooffers a theoretical understanding of the forces that have led to this new understanding, and of the challenges that increasing monetary integration will continue to pose.

Anke Hasselis professor of public policy at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin.

Figures and Tables

Preface

1. The Political Economy of Adjustment in Europe

2. Governments and Wages - A Theoretical Framework

3. Policy Options and Institutions: How Governments Respond

4. Striving for Conservatism: The Shift in Monetary Regimes

5. The Politics of Government Intervention

6. The Responsiveness of Wage Bargaining Institutions

7. The Interaction between Wage Bargaining Institutions and Government Intervention

8. Negotiated Adjustment - A European Approach

Appendices

Notes

Bibliography

Index of Names

Index of Subjects