Understanding Perceived Worker Insecurity in Europe, 2002–2016: Economic Freedom and Neoliberalism as Alternative Theories?

Abstract

This study engages theories of economic freedom and neoliberalism as alternative ways of understanding workers’ perceived job and labor market insecurity. The results of hierarchical ordered logit and linear models of multiple rounds/waves of European Social Survey and European Working Conditions Survey data between 2002 and 2016 reveal some support for one hypothesis derived from each set of theories in basic models: As theories of economic freedom anticipate, the levels of worker insecurity are generally lower in countries that are currently more “economically free”; as theories of neoliberalism anticipate, the levels of insecurity are higher in countries that have increased levels of economic freedom, or “neoliberalization,” in about the past five years, but this relationship is limited to pre-2010 survey data. Altogether, the findings, including of more complex models, suggest these theories account for worker insecurity in Europe, but neoliberalization’s effects are selective, unemployment also matters, and synthesis is needed.

Market Participation, Self-respect, and Risk Tolerance

“…This defense resonates with the empirical evidence that finds that greater life satisfaction, social trust, tolerance, and personal economic security are associated with economically free institutions (Berggren & Bjørnskov, 2020;Berggren & Jordahl, 2006;Berggren & Nilsson, 2013, 2016. The general experience of life in a market society, at least compared to relevant alternative regimes, is not one of insecurity and disempowerment but one of successfully coping with peculiar risks through the availability of a greater range of opportunities (Dixon, 2020).…”

“…Labor market policies focused on job security alone thus have a risk of advantaging protected insiders at the expense of outsiders. Dixon (2020) finds some evidence in favor of economic freedom on this front by comparing worker experiences in different European labor markets. Workers generally feel more secure in regimes that are more economically free.…”

The ‘Gender Face’ of Job Insecurity in France: An Individual- and Organizational-Level Analysis

“…Besides, the REPONSE survey does not include the public sector. Future research should compare the ‘gender face’ of JI in different institutional, economic and cultural contexts in a multilevel approach including individual, organizational and socio-economic dimensions (Green, 2009; Greenhalgh and Rosenblatt, 2010; Lee et al, 2018), in the same vein as recently published research (see Dixon, 2020; Sverke et al, 2019). Third, a longitudinal approach could allow us to better test causality and temporality (Greenhalgh and Rosenblatt, 2010; Keim et al, 2014; Sverke et al, 2006), which seems possible since the REPONSE survey is conducted every six years: this longitudinal approach seems all the more important since previous research has shown the long-term adverse effects of JI on health outcomes, well-being and work-related attitudes (Helbling and Kanji, 2018; Låstad et al, 2016).…”

Sex, breadwinner status, and perceived job insecurity: A comparative analysis in Europe

“…Besides, scholars have underlined that the levels of JI vary across countries, depending on social legislation and the economic situation (Dixon, 2020). Notably, the socioeconomic context and employment protection influence perceived JI (Dixon, 2020; Muñoz de Bustillo and de Pedraza, 2010; Sverke et al, 2019).…”

“…Besides, scholars have underlined that the levels of JI vary across countries, depending on social legislation and the economic situation (Dixon, 2020). Notably, the socioeconomic context and employment protection influence perceived JI (Dixon, 2020; Muñoz de Bustillo and de Pedraza, 2010; Sverke et al, 2019). On the other hand, gender studies have called for gender to be taken into account when dealing with comparative analyses of national contexts, e.g., in works about welfare states (Orloff, 1993, 1996).…”