The Political Economy of Policy Ideas

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxv

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2. Introduction: Ideas and Comparative Political Economy

   • Gemma Scalise

   Pages 1-24

3. Convergence or Divergence? The Debate on Capitalist Societies

   • Gemma Scalise

   Pages 25-65

4. Active Inclusion: A New Policy Paradigm in the Wake of the 2008 Economic Crisis

   • Gemma Scalise

   Pages 67-100

5. Understanding Divergence: A Focus on National Regulation

   • Gemma Scalise

   Pages 101-136

6. From Macro to Micro Evidence: Supranational Strategies, Local Interpretations

   • Gemma Scalise

   Pages 137-167

7. Local Pathways to Active Inclusion

   • Gemma Scalise

   Pages 169-212

8. The Political Economy of Policy Ideas: Concluding Remarks and Open Questions

   • Gemma Scalise

   Pages 213-235

9. Back Matter

   Pages 237-243

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In 2008, the European Commission relaunched the policy idea of active inclusion, with the aim of facilitating the integration of people into sustainable and quality employment. Over ten years later, and in the aftermath of one of the most trying periods in Europe’s recent economic history, this book provides a critical and timely reassessment. 

The Political Economy of Policy Ideas contributes to the growing scholarly literature on ideational political economy and labour market regulation by providing a systematic analysis of the idea of active inclusion and its three core principles: activation, conditionality and personalization. The research breaks new ground by detailing how divergent interpretations of these principles, by relevant social actors in different contexts, have shaped their implementation. The book is of interest to scholars and students across comparative political economy, economic sociology, welfare and industrial relations studies.

• Activation
• Conditionality
• Individualisation
• Labour market reform
• multi-level governance
• European integration

• University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy

  Gemma Scalise

Gemma Scalise is Assistant Professor of Economic Sociology at the University of Bergamo, and was Max Weber Fellow at the European University Institute, Italy.

Policies and ethics