Description
This book analyzes the comparative political economy of industrialized democracies, challenging the assumption that social democratic governments always defend labor interests. It introduces an insider-outsider model, distinguishing between secure employees (insiders) and those without jobs (outsiders). The book focuses on employment protection, active labor market policies, and passive labor market policies. It argues that social democratic parties may prioritize policies benefiting insiders, leading to stronger employment protection but not necessarily improved labor market policies. Factors that can mitigate insider-outsider differences are also explored. The analysis employs surveys, macrodata, and case studies of Spain, the UK, and the Netherlands. This work offers a significant contribution to comparative politics and political economy.