Rich DemocraciesPolitical Economy, Public Policy, and Performance

Abstract

This work, the culmination of 30 years of systematic, comprehensive comparison of 19 rich democracies, answers two basic questions: What is distinctly modern about modern societies—in what ways are they becoming alike? How do variations in types of political economy shape system performance? The text specifies similarities and differences in the structure and interplay of government, political parties, the mass media, industry, labor, professions, agriculture, churches, and voluntary associations. It then demonstrates how differences in bargaining arrangements among these groups lead to contrasting policy profiles and patterns of taxing and spending, which in turn explain a large number of outcomes: economic performance, political legitimacy, equality, job security, safety and risk, real health, the reduction of poverty and environmental threats, and the effectiveness and fairness of regulatory regimes. Drawing on quantitative data and case studies covering the last 50 years and more than 400 interviews conducted with top decision-makers and advisors, the book provides a richly detailed account of the common social, economic, and labor problems modern governments confront and their contrasting styles of conflict resolution. The result is new light on the likely paths of development of rich democracies as they become richer. Assessing alternative theories, the book offers a critique of such images of modern society as “post-industrial” or “high-tech”, “the information age” or the alleged dominance of “globalization”.

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