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Activation Policies in Germany: From Status Protection to Basic Income Support

Author

Listed:
  • Eichhorst, Werner

    (IZA)

  • Grienberger-Zingerle, Maria

    (MPI, Munich)

  • Konle-Seidl, Regina

    (Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Nuremberg)

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the sequential shift towards activating labor market and social policy in Germany. It not only shows the changes in the instruments of active and passives labor market policies but also analyzes the implications of this change for the political economy, the governance and the legal structure of a “Bismarckian” welfare state. Our study points at the changes in Germany’s status- and occupation-oriented unemployment benefit regime that has been relinquished for a larger share of dependent population. Unemployment insurance benefit duration is shorter now and newly created basic income support for needy persons is not earnings-related anymore. Pressure on unemployed to take up jobs has increased considerably while more persons than before have access to employment assistance. The paper also aims at a preliminary assessment of the effects of activating labor market policy on labor market as well as social outcomes and sets out probable paths of future adaptation.

Suggested Citation

  • Eichhorst, Werner & Grienberger-Zingerle, Maria & Konle-Seidl, Regina, 2006. "Activation Policies in Germany: From Status Protection to Basic Income Support," IZA Discussion Papers 2514, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp2514
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Konle-Seidl, Regina, 2005. "Arbeitsvermittlung zwischen Zentralisierung, Kommunalisierung und Privatisierung," Wirtschaftsdienst – Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftspolitik (1949 - 2007), ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 85(9), pages 575-581.
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    3. Jacobi, Lena & Kluve, Jochen, 2006. "Before and After the Hartz Reforms: The Performance of Active Labour Market Policy in Germany," RWI Discussion Papers 41, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung.
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    5. Konle-Seidl, Regina & Lang, Kristina, 2006. "Von der Reduzierung zur Mobilisierung des Arbeitskräftepotenzials : Ansätze zur Integration von inaktiven und arbeitslosen Sozialleistungsbeziehern im internationalen Vergleich," IAB-Forschungsbericht 200615, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
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    8. Koch, Susanne & Walwei, Ulrich, 2005. "Hartz IV: Geht die Reform zu weit oder noch nicht weit genug?," Wirtschaftsdienst – Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftspolitik (1949 - 2007), ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 85(7), pages 411-417.
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    10. Wolfgang Streeck, 2001. "High Equality, Low Activity: The Contribution of the Social Welfare System to the Stability of the German Collective Bargaining Regime," EUI-RSCAS Working Papers 6, European University Institute (EUI), Robert Schuman Centre of Advanced Studies (RSCAS).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    unemployment insurance; Germany; unemployment assistance; activation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J68 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Public Policy

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