Search results for ""Author Hideko Magara""

In this innovative book, Hideko Magara brings together an expert team to explore both the possibilities and difficulties of transitioning from a neoliberal policy regime to an alternative regime through drastic policy innovations. The authors argue that, for more than two decades, citizens in developed countries have witnessed massive job losses, lowered wages, slow economic growth and widening inequality under a neoliberal policy regime that has placed heavy constraints on policy choices.The book explores, both theoretically and empirically, the possibility of transition to a new political economic paradigm by seeking feasible answers to questions such as: why has such a regime persisted for a long period of time despite its poor policy performance?; is it possible for democracy to overcome economic crisis through its electoral mechanisms?; and, under what conditions can each government convert crisis of its economy into growth? The book concludes that under different policy regimes, whether Keynesian or neoliberal, there are a variety of growth regimes, and economic performances will consequently vary considerably. The authors ultimately argue that policy innovations need not only political leadership but also the very creation of a new economic theory in order to break a critical juncture of economic stalemates.Economic Crises and Policy Regimes will appeal to policy makers and practitioners internationally and is an important resource for political scientists, economists and sociologists. Advanced students of comparative politics, comparative political economy and institutional economics will also find much to benefit them in this book.Contributors include: B. Amable, R. Boyer, L.C. Bresser-Pereira, N. Fujita, K. Fukuda, M. Ido, H.B. Im, H. Magara, A. Martinelli, H. Nishi, S. Palombarini, A. Przeworski, S. Sacchi, H. Shiratori, T. Yamada, Y. Yanai

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For countries undertaking economic or political reform the case of Italy and Japan is both highly instructive and sobering. The Politics of Structural Reforms reveals what Italy and Japan gained and lost through a series of social and industrial reforms in the 1990s and 2000s, and why the changes they made in their policies have had little impact in softening the recent economic crisis.Italy and Japan achieved miraculous economic growth in the postwar period. While their financial and manufacturing sectors cooperated in achieving international competitiveness, their political systems grew alike. The weaknesses of both economic and political compacts became apparent at the beginning of the 1990s, when the two countries were caught in an economic slump and fell into a stalemate that lasts to the current day. Since the early 1990's they have undergone a series of structural reforms, and momentous changes in their political systems. Through a detailed comparative analysis of the reforms of both countries in areas such as corporate governance, the labour market, social policy, and in their electoral systems the authors explain why these reforms have not resulted in economic or political success.This innovative volume will be an excellent resource for political scientists specialized in political economy and industrial relations, labour economists and sociologists as well as policy practitioners and corporate governance specialists. Moreover, it is an enjoyable and informative read for all scholars and those interested in social and political reform.Contributors: D. Checchi, A.M. Chiesi, R. Dore, M. Ido, H. Magara, S. Sacchi, P. Segatti, T. Shinkawa, M. Suzuki

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