From Bismarck To Maastricht

This paper considers the likely impact that European Union (EU) will have on the labor compact. It is argued that, despite increased economic integration in Europe, countries will still be able to maintain distinct labor practices if they are willing to bear the cost of those practices. The incidence of many social protections probably already falls on workers. In addition, it is argued that imperfect mobility of capital, labor, goods and services will limit the pressure that integration will place on the labor compact. Evidence is presented suggesting that labor mobility among EU countries has not increased after the elimination of remaining restrictions on intra-EU labor mobility in 1993. Moreover, immigration from non-EU countries, which is much larger than intra-EU migration, has declined since 1993. Evidence is also reviewed suggesting that the demand for social protection rises when countries are more open, and therefore subject to more severe external shocks. This finding suggests that increased economic integration and European Monetary Union could lead to greater demand for social protection. The U.S. experience with state workers' compensation insurance programs is offered as an example of enduring differences in labor market protections in highly integrated regional economies with a common currency.

1. Introduction and research problem -- 2. A theoretical framework -- 3. The European leghold trap regulation -- 4. The European ban on the use of growth-hormones in meat production -- 5. Genetically modified foods and food products -- 6. The European data protection directive -- 7. Summary and conclusions.

Andrew J. Cherlin's three decades of study have shown him that marriage in America is a social and political battlefield in a way that it isn’t in other developed countries. Americans marry and divorce more often and have more live-in partners than Europeans, and gay Americans have more interest in legalizing same-sex marriage. The difference comes from Americans’ embrace of two contradictory cultural ideals: marriage, a formal commitment to share one's life with another; and individualism, which emphasizes personal choice and self-development. Religion and law in America reinforce both of these behavioral poles, fueling turmoil in our family life and heated debate in our public life. Cherlin’s incisive diagnosis is an important contribution to the debate and points the way to slowing down the partnership merry-go-round.

"Attempts to present a systematic discussion of the major benefits and costs of occupational licensing to the economies of the United States and several European countries." - page xiii.

Sandwiched between the US - the sole superpower at the turn of the millennium - and China as the expected next superpower, Europe is rarely discussed as a potential dealer of the 21st century. At best, it is seen as an able follower of trends set by others. At worst, it is regarded as a relic; a kind of vast open-air museum with a rich culture and good food, immersed in a glorious past with limited prospects. Europe's Hidden Potential explores how an 'overlooked and underrated' continent can harness its potential to positively shape the global and economic future. As the world is looking for an alternative leader, this book shows how Europe can - and ought to - lead the way once more.

It has become commonplace to think that globalization has produced a race to the bottom in terms of labor standards and quality of life: the cheaper the labor and the lower the benefits afforded workers, the more competitively a country can participate on the global stage. But in this book the distinguished economic historian Michael Huberman demonstrates that globalization has in fact been very good for workers' quality of life, and that improved labor conditions have promoted globalization.

The Euro in the 21st Century clarifies the perception of the euro and empirically demonstrates that the euro has become a true common currency and the Eurozone a true optimal currency area, presenting, in turn, a model to imitate. In order to demonstrate this, this study analyzes the economic and monetary requirements and policies required to introduce a common currency as well as the theoretical underpinnings of both the European integration process and the historical economic, monetary, political, and social circumstances that favoured the creation of the economic and monetary union. Furthermore, this book sheds light on how the current economic and monetary circumstances are affecting the euro project through and analysis of three intertwined issues. It studies how the economic chaos and financial uproar, which has plagued the Eurozone and world economy since 2008, has affected the single-currency regime as well as the current image of the euro worldwide. Moreover it summarizes the lesson to be learnt from what can be considered 'the first euro crisis'. Finally, it thoroughly analyzes the behaviour of the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund during this crisis. This book draws on and contributes to several bodies of literature within Political Economy, Economics, and International Relations and is particularly relevant at this time given that the current unfolding economic imbalances are causing some Eurozone Member States to rethink their economic and political views concerning the euro.

Critics of globalization claim that economic liberalization leads to a lowering of regulatory standards. As capital and corporations move more freely across national boundaries, a race to the bottom results as governments are forced to weaken labor and environmental standards to retain current contracts or attract new business. The essays in this volume argue that, on the contrary, under certain circumstances global economic integration can actually lead to the strengthening of consumer and environmental standards. This volume extends the argument of David Vogel’s book Trading Up, which discussed environmental standards, by focusing on the impact of globalization on labor rights, women’s rights and capital market regulations.

Critically assessing the widely accepted view that the cause of unemployment is excessive labor market regulation and overly generous welfare state benefits, this book's chapters include both cross-country statistical analyses and country case studies.