Political Parties, Growth and Equality: Conservative and Social Democratic Economic Strategies in the World Economy (Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics) [Paperback]

Carles Boix (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521585953 | ISBN-13: 978-0521585958 | Publication Date: June 13, 1998

This book describes the contrasting economic strategies pursued by conservative and social democratic governments. The current literature on political economy maintains that, due to the globalization of the economy and each country's institutional structures, parties hardly affect the economy. Examining all advanced countries since the 1960s, Professor Boix shows instead that partisanship and electoral politics play a fundamental role in the selection of policies to generate long-term growth and economic competitiveness. The book reinvigorates the claim that democratic arrangements matter.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Overall, this is an important contribution to the study of electoral competition and political parties and to the significant role still played by politics in economic management in the context of globalization." Canadian Journal of Political Science

Book Description

This book describes the contrasting economic strategies pursued by conservative and social democratic governments. The current literature on political economy maintains that, due to the globalization of the economy and each country's institutional structures, parties hardly affect the economy. Examining all advanced countries since the 1960s, Professor Boix shows instead that partisanship and electoral politics play a fundamental role in the selection of policies to generate long-term growth and economic competitiveness. The book reinvigorates the claim that democratic arrangements matter.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (June 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521585953
• ISBN-13: 978-0521585958
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #657,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Electoral Politics Impact Public Policy Formation, June 30, 2009

By 

Matthew P. Arsenault (SW Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Political Parties, Growth and Equality: Conservative and Social Democratic Economic Strategies in the World Economy (Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics) (Paperback)

Boix contends that parties and electoral politics matter in regards to public policies dealing with economic growth and employment. He contends that strategies differ between conservative and social democratic political regimes. Boix contends that conservative parties will pursue strategies which minimize benefits for lower-skilled workers while at the same time minimizing taxation for higher skilled workers while at the same time minimizing taxation for higher skilled workers in the hopes of spurring private investment. Social democratic parties pursue quite different strategies. They seek to increase the wages and skills of workers through public investment in things like education etc. though increased taxation on those more skilled, higher paid workers. Boix contends that such policies can lead to a split between lower-skilled workers on one hand and higher skilled workers on the other. The parties then view for control "over the center" (See Downs 1957). Then, depending on control of the center, specific policies - conservative or social democratic - will be pursued.

1 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pragmatical approach to different ideologies, November 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Political Parties, Growth and Equality: Conservative and Social Democratic Economic Strategies in the World Economy (Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics) (Hardcover)

In this book, Carles Boix has teached us with very rygourous tools, to consider the ideological bases and differences between social democracy policies and conservative ones. His sarchastical (and great) sense of humour can not be hidden all the time. When you find it, you enjoy the double with the book.