Employment and Unemployment Policies and the Functioning of the Labour Market in a Comparative Perspective 1

Abstract

This study suggests that the phenomenon of unemployment and the regu latory order of the labour market could be analysed cross-nationally as a crucial policy issue of the welfare state. The phenomenon of unemployment highlights central issues concerning public policy-making and the Interaction between state and society. The study is limited to four countries. Denmark, Sweden, Great Britain and Italy It is observable that the four countries show markedly different profiles regarding state institutions and the con figuration of the policies concerned. These variations are to be analysed as an interrelation between the character of the labour movements and the welfare state.