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Selling off the family silver: the politics of privatization in the OECD 1990-2000

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  • Obinger, Herbert
  • Zohlnhöfer, Reimut

Abstract

The 1990s have witnessed unprecedented attempts at privatizing state owned enterprises in virtually all OECD democracies. This contribution analyzes the differences in the privatization proceeds raised by EU- and OECD-countries between 1990 and 2000. It turns out that privatizations are part of a process of economic liberalization in previously highly regulated economies as well as a reaction to the fiscal policy challenges imposed by European integration and the globalization of financial markets. In addition, institutional pluralism and union militancy yield significant and negative effects on pri-vatization proceeds. Partisan differences only emerge if economic problems are moderate, while intense economic, particularly fiscal problems foreclose differing partisan strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Obinger, Herbert & Zohlnhöfer, Reimut, 2005. "Selling off the family silver: the politics of privatization in the OECD 1990-2000," TranState Working Papers 15, University of Bremen, Collaborative Research Center 597: Transformations of the State.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:sfb597:15
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    References listed on IDEAS

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