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1Labor market policies:historical and comparative

perspectives

Philippe Askenazy (Paris School of Economics)

Christine Erhel (Centre d’Etude de l’Emploi)

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IntroductionMajority of countries worldwide has implemented certain labor market policies: unemployment benefits, training for the unemployed, etc

While labor markets are heterogeneous by country, these policies are similar, and their general objective is currently the same: increase employment, reduce unemployment

HERE: we will explore 2 dimensions

Historical: facts and ideas build progressively labor market policies

Comparative: Important for countries to learn from each other’s experience

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Outline of the courses02/09, 9.30-12.30: presentation of the courses. Definition of labor policies and labor institutions.Main facts

An historical perspective in developed countries

1970’s. The sources of the crises. The stagflation

03/01, 9.15-12.15: 1980’s. The micro and macro-economics of labor marketThe wage moderation and the birth of ‘modern’ labor policies

03/08, 9.15-12.15: 1990’s. From the OECD job study to the new-economyThe ambitious labor policies in France

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Outline of the courses

03/15, 9.15-12.15: 2000’s. Old tools or new tools? Minimum wages versus in-depth liberalization

A comparative perspective

03/22, 9.15-12.15: Comparative methodology

03/29, 9.15-12.15: Scandinavian countries, Germany, UK, US. 3 presentations

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Outline of the courses

04/05, 9.15-12.15: Labor policies in developing countries. 2 presentations

04/26, 9.15-12.15: The coordination of European labor policies; the labor policies in the current crises. 2 presentations

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Definition of labor policies: 2 categories

“Passive” labor market policies (PLMPs)

“Out-of-work income maintenance and support”, i.e. unemployment benefits and unemployment assistance.

Malthusian approach: Early retirement schemes…

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Definition of labor policies: 2 categories

Active labor market policies (ALMPs)

(Labor market ) training: human capital accumulation

Private sector incentive programs: employer and worker behavior

Direct employment in public sector: public job creation

Services and Sanctions: job search efficiency

Specific policiesYouth programs Measures for the disabled

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Main facts: from a rapid economic growth to a productivity slowdown

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Main facts: from a rapid economic growth to a productivity slowdown

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Main facts: the US Philipps curve