Varieties of capitalism, neoliberalism and the economic crisis of 2008–?

Abstract

This article examines the responses of national governments to the economic crisis that commenced in 2008. We argue that the current search for new bases for accumulation is leading to reforms designed to weaken the position of labour. Moreover, the tendency towards a weakening of labour's position was already evident across different ‘varieties of capitalism’ before the crisis erupted. We discuss the implications for comparative institutional analysis and stress the need for a renewed focus on the underlying dynamics of capitalist economies.

European growth models and working class restructuring: An International post-Keynesian Political Economy perspective

“…There is a substantial overlap with the analyses by Nölke and Vliegenthart (2009) and by the regulationists (Boyer, 2013;Mazier and Petit, 2013). We are even closer to Becker and Jäger (2012) and Heyes et al (2012), but our main contribution is a more comprehensive empirical analysis in identifying one export-driven model at the core and two dependent models: an Eastern model of subordinate catching up and a Southern one with debtdriven growth. Our empirical analysis has served to illustrate how the IPKPE can be fruitfully applied and has provided a richer and more comprehensive analysis than the comparable literature.…”

“…VoC has been criticized for overemphasising the functionality and the stability of the regimes (Hay, 2005, Peck and Theodore 2007, Heyes et al 2012, Streeck 2012. We share these criticisms.…”

Do not say a word! Conceptualizing employee silence in a long-term crisis context

“…Hassel, 2014;Heyes, Lewis & Clark, 2012;Lallement, 2011). There has been a particular interest on how European peripheral economies responded to crisis, considering the impact on their debt and banking systems (Tsolacos, 2014).…”

Workplace relations, unemployment and finance-dominated capitalism

“…As mature capitalist economies confront a future of slower growth rates, there is little chance of any quick turnaround in the fortunes of workers. Indeed, the responses made by governments and governmental organisations at the national and international level to the crisis are making life more difficult for workers (Heyes et al, 2012). In the name of 'austerity', all kinds of regressive policies have been implemented from reductions in the availability of out-of-work benefits through cuts in public services to the repeal of labor laws.…”