Publisher's Synopsis
Investigating the consequences of restrictive austerity policies and the downsizing of the welfare state this edited collection reflects on possible ways out by analyzing economic developments, social conflicts, legal forms and the prevailing directions of economic policy. - - According to official figures, around 9.5 per cent of the working population of the European Union is unemployed. Fifteen million European citizens are officially looking for work. In other countries such as the US, the increasing wage inequality has marginalized large parts of the population. The precipitous rise in unemployment (mainly in Europe) and income inequality (mainly in the USA) as well as the weakening of democratic and welfare institutions in almost every developed nation have caused huge social and political problems in recent years. The rupture of the social cohesion, the marginalization of a large part of the labour force, the fall in living standards for a significant number of citizens, has shaken the faith of the people in the Western democracy and spurred voices in favour of the restoration of the social welfare and other forms of social net. - - The discrepancy between the aforementioned unfortunate situation and the peopleÆs demand for the improvement of living standards renders necessary the elaboration of means of intervening to overcome democratic deficit and restore an efficient welfare state, along with the needs of societies today. This collection constitutes an interdisciplinary approach to this task. The contributors investigate the hidden causes of the present situation in developed countries and reflect on possible ways out, by analyzing economic developments, social conflicts, prevailing economic policies and specifying the necessary conditions to strengthen democratic and welfare institutions. The disheartening of political and social situations worldwide is analyzed (with a focus on Europe) and possible strategies for dealing with it are formulated in order to meet demands for a more equilibrated relation between the market and society.
