Can centre-left parties halt growing inequality?
Article Abstract:
Western democracies have adopted two distinct ways of dealing with the fact that the wages of skilled workers are rising in relation to those of unskilled workers. In continental Europe, governments have restricted market forces, thus limiting the impact of the decline in relative wages for the unskilled. In the US and the UK, market forces have not been restricted. Employment has risen, but there has been a significant increase in inequality. A new approach would involve offering a minimum guaranteed income level, introducing a marginal wage subsidy and increasing in-work welfare benefits.
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 1998
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No reason to copy the fading German miracle
Article Abstract:
Germany's economy has traditionally been seen as a very positive example by other countries. However, within Germany itself there is now growing pessimism about the country's economic future. GDP growth in the western sector of Germany averaged only 1% a year in the period 1992-1995, and unemployment for the whole of the country is now approaching 10%. Some observers are now attributing these problems to an over-regulated economy and a labour market which makes employees too expensive for employers.
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 1996
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A housing recovery would create new losers
Article Abstract:
Politicians in the UK seem very unwilling to acknowledge that it would be better for the economy if house prices did not start to rise again. If house prices rise, then the real cost of acquiring additional housing services also rises, causing financial problems for households which are likely to increase their commitment to housing. In general, the elderly will gain from house price rises, while younger people will be worse off.
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 1995
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