Varieties of Austerity

by Heather Whiteside, Stephen McBride

Overview

Austerity is not always one-size-fits-all; it can be a flexible, class-based strategy taking several forms depending on the political-economic forces and institutional characteristics present. This important book identifies continuity and variety in crisis-driven austerity restructuring across Canada, Denmark, Ireland and Spain. In their analysis, the authors focus on several components of austerity, including fiscal and monetary policy, budget narratives, public sector reform, labor market flexibilization, and resistance. In so doing, they uncover how austerity can be categorized into different dynamic types, and expose the economic, social, and political implications of the varieties of austerity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781529212266
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Publication date:	05/03/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	260
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Heather Whiteside is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo and Fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. Stephen McBride is Professor of Political Science and Canada Research Chair in Public Policy and Globalization at McMaster University. Bryan Evans is Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Ryerson University and is Director of the Centre for Policy Innovation and Public Engagement.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Theoretical Framework and Empirics; Political Economy of Debt and Finance; Politics of Public Money; Public Sector Restructuring; Labour Market Flexibility and Restructuring; Institutionalizing Precarity and Low Wage Work; Resistance and Its Limits; Conclusion.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Essential reading for those interested in understanding the nature and dynamics of austerity and the possibilities opening up for constructing alternatives capable of delivering a fair and sustainable society.” Sue Konzelmann, Birkbeck, University of London

“This book offers a skilful comparative analysis of the class character and the restructuring of the nation state that avoids national container traps.” Dieter Plehwe, Berlin Social Science Center (WZB)