标题：World Economic Crisis - Globalization - Global Employment Crisis - Challenge for the Reform of Labour and Employment Policies in Japan and in Germany
期刊名称：Berichte aus dem Weltwirtschaftlichen Colloquium / Universität Bremen
出版年度：2009
期号：115
出版社：Universität Bremen
摘要：In order to understand the roots of the current world economic crisis it is necessary
to study carefully the most recent phase of globalization (1980-2005). It is obvious
that not only unregulated global financial markets have caused the crisis, but that
global imbalances, global inequalities and global shifts have worked through the system.
The most severe lack of global governance, despite of ever stronger globalization
forces, is responsible for the negative outcome. Japan and Germany are advised - in
their own interest as export-oriented nations - to push for a new global governance
structure.
The world economic crisis has rapidly become also a global employment crisis which
is eroding social safety nets, poverty alleviation strategies and labour market institutions.
This is endangering the development efforts of decades as the number of the
unemployed, of the working poor and of those in vulnerable employment is sharply
on the increase. Japan and Germany are also affected severely by the global employment
crisis, directly and indirectly. Increasing inequalities and poverty rates are accentuated.
The two countries have to pursue new pro-active labour market and employment
strategies, but also have to push for a new global governance system in labour,
employment and social security issues.
The analysis also shows that there are challenges for Japan and Germany in their labour,
employment and social security policies in times of crisis but the more so because
of the new drivers of globalization. The structure of labour markets, the labour
market institutions, the prevailing concepts of labour market flexibility, the labour
market reforms, and the structural reforms related to labour markets in these countries
have evolved over decades, even dating back to the industrialization period, and cannot
be changed in an ad hoc and hastily manner. All the reforms pursued must be in
conformity with the development path of labour market institutions. However, Germany’s
path of reforming the labour market institutions shows that incremental reforms
can achieve a lasting impact. For both countries we see a tremendous need of
adapting the labour, employment and social security policies in such a way that it will
become possible to counter the new globalization forces. More individualistic (homo
oeconomicus-based) and more solidarity-based approaches are discussed.
关键词：Globalization; World Economic Crisis; World Employment Crisis; Comparing
Labour Market Institutions and Policies in Japan and Germany
