Why are European Countries Diverging in their Unemployment Experience?

Gilles Saint-Paul

No 4328, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: During the nineties, unemployment fell in a number of European countries while it remained high in others. This Paper discusses potential causes for that evolution in light of recent economic research, emphasizing obstacles to reform due to political constraints, the prevalence of ideology, and agency issues within those bureaucracies concerned with the unemployment problem. Some speculative thoughts are offered as to why those factors might be more stringent in countries where unemployment remained high.

Keywords: Unemployment; Labour market reform; Ideology; Political economy; Flexibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D70 E24 J60 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004-03
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (109)

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Journal Article: Why are European Countries Diverging in their Unemployment Experience? (2004)
Working Paper: Why are European Countries Diverging in their Unemployment Experience? (2004)
Working Paper: Why Are European Countries Diverging in Their Unemployment Experience? (2004)
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