Hartz Reforms in Germany: a template for the labour market reforms in Southern Europe during the economic crisis? - The case of Spain Berlin School of Economics and Law M.A. Political Economy of European Integration
- Abstract:
This paper discusses the labour market reforms implemented in Germany and Spain. Particularly it focuses on the similarities between both sets of labour market reforms. It tries to find out whether the Hartz reforms applied in Germany in the beginning of the 21st century have been used as a model for the labour market reforms applied in Spain since 2010. It also assesses the role played by the EU institutions encouraging member states to apply this kind of flexibility reforms. The paper presents the main theories on which this type of reforms is based on – i.e. New Public Management and New Consensus Macroeconomics. It discusses the main developments at the EU level in regards to labour market reforms. In order to compare the reforms in Germany and Spain, the paper follows a case study approach where three indicators are used with the aim of answering the main research question. Finally, it presents the main conclusions derive from the assessment of the research.