Suchergebnisse

The unconditional basic income (UBI) has attracted renewed attention in academia, as well as in public discussions in recent years, and much has been written on the possible consequences of a UBI. However, this is the first book focusing on the UBI in Europe that offers empirical research findings. It includes a survey on preferences for a UBI in the EU; an assessment of the political feasibility of a UBI in the EU; field studies in the Netherlands and Scotland; and the findings of laboratory experiments. Presenting contributions from Dutch and international researchers, this book provides scientific answers to the question of whether a UBI is desirable and feasible in Europe.

European welfare states face serious financial difficulties caused by persistent high levels of unemployment and demographic ageing. Serious organisational problems are accompanied by inefficiency. Fiercer international competition and closer European integration put pressure on social policy in the EU member states, and creates competition between national welfare states. Sustainable European welfare states in general and maintainable social security systems in particular require fundamental reform. In this paper a plan for a common EU-wide safety-net is presented. The current proposal differs considerably from previous proposals involving the establishment of a basic income, wage subsidies, an earned income tax credit or workfare. Simulations show that the proposal is both effective and efficient.

'Jobs, Jobs und abermals Jobs' ist das politische Schlagwort in den Niederlanden. In diesem Artikel werden die Hintergründe des niederländischen "Beschäftigungswunders" erläutert und die zentrale Frage beantwortet, ob es möglich und erwünscht wäre, das "Poldermodell" in Deutschland einzuführen und zu implementieren. Gefolgert wird, dass die Übertragbarkeit des Poldermodells beschränkt ist. Es gibt beträchtliche kulturelle und institutionelle Unterschiede zwischen den beiden Ländern. Die Kehrseite des Beschäftigungswunders ist ein starkes Anwachsen der ungesicherten Beschäftigungsverhältnisse mit unerwünschten sozialen und wirtschaftlichen Konsequenzen. Deutschland spielt eine zentrale Rolle in der Europäischen Union; eine Lohnermäßigungspolitik in Deutschland könnte zu einer europaweiten Rezession führen, da ein Teil der Inlandsnachfrage ausfiele. ; 'Jobs, jobs, and more jobs' is the political motto in the Netherlands. The background of the Dutch "employment miracle" is explained in this article. The central question answered is whether it is possible and desirable to import and implement the 'poldermodel' in Germany. It is concluded that the transferability of the poldermodel is limited. There are considerable cultural and structural differences between the two countries. The reverse of the job miracle is a strong growth of insecure jobs with undesirable social and economic consequences. Germany plays a central role in the European Union. A policy of wage moderation in Germany may result in a downward spiral because of a partial drop in possible the internal demand. A European wide recession is.

The target of full employment depends upon the goals regarding labour force participation rates, the length of the work week and frictional unemployment. Although nearly all social groups agree that stronger economic growth would contribute most to solving the unemployment problem, the prospects for a return to the conditions prevailing before 1973 are poor. The article argues that a general saturation, demographic developments and environmental problems may cause bottlenecks for economic growth. Important changes in the labour supply and in the sectoral distribution of employment are eroding the full-time, full-year concept. In addition, advances in information technology make it imperative to re-examine the old concept of full employment. A new full employment concept is proposed that includes a legal right to a basic amount of employment, i.e. at least part-time employment, combined with a right to a (partial) basic income. It is argued that this new full employment concept is not only economically efficient, but socially desirable.