Fairness and Division of Labor in Market Societies: Comparison of U.S. and German Automotive Industries

Fairness and Division of Labor in Market Societies: Comparison of U.S. and German Automotive Industries
ISBN-10
1789205816
ISBN-13
9781789205817
Category
Political Science
Pages
240
Language
English
Published
2004-10-01
Publisher
Berghahn Books
Author
Hyeong-Ki Kwon

Description

Contrary to the explanations offered by the theory of non-reflexive, path-dependent institutionalism, the U.S. and the German automotive industries undertook strikingly similar patterns of industry modification under tough international competition during the 1990s, departing from their traditional national patterns. By investigating the processes of the U.S. and German adjustments, the author critically reconsiders the prevalent paradigms of political economy and comes to the conclusion that the evidence does not confirm the neoliberal paradigm. In order to better account for the recomposition of new market relations, which the author terms "converging but non-liberal" and "diverging but not predetermined" markets, he proposes an alternative model of "politics among reflexive agents," emphasizing different kinds of problem-solving practices among those reflexive agents. He argues that different forms and regimes of market are established in the process of recomposition, in which agents reflect upon not only market rationality but also upon their own institutions, creating new norms.

Similar books