Debating Unemployment Policy: Political Communication and the Labour Market in Western Europe

The Great Recession of 2008 led to increased unemployment in West European countries, leading to policy debates and communication differences across countries. This comparative study examines policy debates and political communication in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, and Switzerland since 2008, focusing on cross-national commonalities and differences.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 348 pages
\n Publication date: 02 May 2019
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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The Great Recession, a devastating financial and economic crisis of immense proportions, marked a significant turning point in global economic history, surpassing the severity of the Great Depression in the 1930s. Its far-reaching consequences left a lasting impact on societies worldwide, particularly in Western Europe. One of the most pressing concerns that emerged during this period was unemployment, which quickly became a central issue for governments and publics across the region. This comparative study delves into the policy debates surrounding unemployment in six European countries: the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, and Switzerland. With a primary objective of identifying cross-national commonalities and differences, the authors explore whether there are variations in the patterns of political communication surrounding unemployment across these nations. Drawing upon extensive interviews with key labor market policy-makers in these six countries, the analysis provides a revealing portrait of the challenges and strategies employed in addressing unemployment. This book appeals to scholars and researchers in the fields of comparative politics, political communication, and welfare state research, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of policymaking and its impact on social welfare. Moreover, practitioners involved in labor market policy will find this book to be a valuable resource, as it provides a comprehensive examination of the policy debates and practices in different European countries.

\n Weight: 612g\n
Dimension: 161 x 235 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781108497510\n \n