AMSTERDAM: The Dutch like to think of themselves as leaders in social policy. But as we discovered on a recent trip to the Netherlands and Germany, it is in economic policy that today’s Europe looks to Holland for leadership. With unemployment in Germany, France and Italy around 10%, the Dutch jobless rate, at less than 3%, is the envy of Europe.
Holland is that rare example of a booming welfare state (“overheating” was the word used to describe the Dutch economy by three central bankers in Frankfurt). How did this happen? Some credit the so-called “Polder Model” of social cooperation between employers, unions and the government. They’re wrong. Social cooperation per se did not save the Dutch from the mistakes of the 60’s and 70’s. So how can it be credited for economic recovery in the mid 80’s and 90’s?
True, Dutch trade unions have moderated wage demands. But this is not what sparked Holland’s dramatic employment gains. Instead, credit structural reforms in the Dutch labor market for the jobs boom. Primary amongst these is the widespread use of part-time and temporary employees.
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Rather than reducing concentrated market power through “disruption” or “creative destruction,” technological innovation historically has only added to the problem, by awarding monopolies to just one or a few dominant firms. And market forces offer no remedy to the problem; only public policy can provide that.
shows that technological change leads not to disruption, but to deeper, more enduring forms of market power.
The passing of America’s preeminent foreign-policy thinker and practitioner marks the end of an era. Throughout his long and extraordinarily influential career, Henry Kissinger built a legacy that Americans would be wise to heed in this new era of great-power politics and global disarray.
reviews the life and career of America’s preeminent foreign-policy scholar-practitioner.
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AMSTERDAM: The Dutch like to think of themselves as leaders in social policy. But as we discovered on a recent trip to the Netherlands and Germany, it is in economic policy that today’s Europe looks to Holland for leadership. With unemployment in Germany, France and Italy around 10%, the Dutch jobless rate, at less than 3%, is the envy of Europe.
Holland is that rare example of a booming welfare state (“overheating” was the word used to describe the Dutch economy by three central bankers in Frankfurt). How did this happen? Some credit the so-called “Polder Model” of social cooperation between employers, unions and the government. They’re wrong. Social cooperation per se did not save the Dutch from the mistakes of the 60’s and 70’s. So how can it be credited for economic recovery in the mid 80’s and 90’s?
True, Dutch trade unions have moderated wage demands. But this is not what sparked Holland’s dramatic employment gains. Instead, credit structural reforms in the Dutch labor market for the jobs boom. Primary amongst these is the widespread use of part-time and temporary employees.
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