Suchergebnisse

The article employs an historical institutionalist, path dependent approach to analyse the modernisation of German economic policy. It investigates several critical junctures dating to the origins of the Federal Republic and argues that German policy makers' difficulty in undertaking contemporary reform is rooted in deeply embedded organised capitalist institutions and ideas. While economic modernisation in Germany was and is still clearly necessary, Anglo-American neoliberal models have little chance of either economic or political success. Rather, it suggests that if successful economic modernisation is to take place in Germany it will likely take an organisational form that is congruent with familiar German institutions. However, this organised capitalist model would also need to be accompanied by a set of ideas congruent with early 21st century economic circumstances. (German Politics / FUB)

Allen reviews The Lander and German Federalism by Arthur B. Gunlicks and German Public Policy and Federalism: Current Debates on Political, Legal and Social Issues edited by Arthur B. Gunlicks.

An examination of corporatist theory (business, labor, government interaction) in the context of regional governments & economic policy in the Federal Republic of Germany, where regional governments, far more than the federal government, have acted to shape industrial adjustment & enhance international competitiveness. Corporatist theory is traced through evolution from a macro to a meso variant that attempts to address sector- & region-specific forms of economic dislocation. The new mesocorporatist approach is found insufficient because it looks only at private interests & neglects the regional politics of industrial adjustment. The very different mesopolitical patterns of adjustment are examined in a synthetic review of recent research on economic policy making in Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, & North-Rhine Westphalia. Mesocorporatism may still prove useful theoretically, but only if it includes the role of regional governments. HA