The Growing Challenge of Youth Unemployment in Europe and America : A Cross-Cultural Perspective

Much of the literature that addresses youth unemployment has been framed within an economic paradigm and much less attention has been focused on the role played by country-specific value orientations in structuring economic activity. Drawing on extensive fieldwork research and the work of experts in Europe and the United States, this book provides a culturally nuanced analysis of key issues relating to youth unemployment. Examining the causes and consequences of youth unemployment, it explores ways forward to promote economic self-sufficiency. This pioneering work offers invaluable tailored policy solutions to tackle one of today’s most important socioeconomic issues. Front Cover The Growing Challenge of Youth Unemployment in Europe and America: A Cross- Cultural Perspective Copyright information Dedication Table of contents List of Figures, Tables and Boxes Notes on Contributors Preface 1 Introduction The youth labor market The selection of countries The German dual system The ‘free-wheeling’ American entrepreneurship model Organization of the book Note References 2 Acceptable Jobs and the Epidemic of Youth Unemployment in Southern Italy Introduction Nature of youth unemployment in Italy Causes of high youth unemployment in Southern Italy Does unemployment beget more unemployment? Making human capital productive Education and its (tenuous) connection to the labor market in Italy The Italian educational system Segmented economy and the geographical distribution of jobs Approaching a dual vocational education and training system Italian young adults and their work values Policy prescriptions and concluding thoughts Notes References 3 No Jobs, No Hope: The Future of Youth Employment in Spain Introduction The nature of youth unemployment in Spain Causes of high youth unemployment in Spain Economic growth rates Human capital and related factors Temporary contracts and underemployment Self-employment Poor wages A historical review of legislative and regulatory efforts to combat youth unemployment Educational reforms Reforms in general education Reforms in vocational education and training Effectiveness of general education and vocational education and training reforms General education system Vocational education and training system Labor market policy reforms and their effectiveness Feasibility of the German dual model as a solution to youth unemployment Feasibility of the American model of entrepreneurship References 4 Dirigisme Pour L’Ordinaire: Vocational Training in 21st Century France The cultural dirigisme French capitalism and labor market demand Dirigisme, étatisme, and labor supply A note on entrepreneurship in France The changing French labor market Some views from the ninety-five percent References 5 Educating Youth for Future Unemployment in Greece Introduction Current status of Greek youth Labor market institutions, over-education, and skills Active labor market policies A German-type dual education system in Greece? Self-employment/entrepreneurship in Greece An odyssey to economic security: a sampling of youth voices References 6 Labor Market Policies to Fight Youth Unemployment in Portugal: Between Statism and Experimentalism Introduction The nature of youth unemployment in Portugal Strategies followed by governments to address youth unemployment: three hypotheses Labor market policies to fight youth unemployment in Portugal between 2000 and 2017 Discussion Concluding remarks Notes Acknowledgments References 7 Adaptability of the German Vocational Model to Mediterranean Countries Introduction Background information on the Spanish and the Italian vocational education and training regimes Varieties of capitalism and the characteristics of vocational training systems German companies as transfer agents? Theoretical considerations Companies’ attempts to promote dual vocational education and training Empirical foundation Spain: favorable conditions for standardization Italy: the case for localization Comparison of the two cases Greece France Italy Portugal Spain Discussion Conclusion Notes References 8 US Style Entrepreneurship as a Pathway to Youth Employment: Exporting the Promise The American work ethos Considerations on the supply side of the labor market: getting ready for employment Considerations on the demand side of the labor market: getting employed Entrepreneurship as an employment strategy in the United States Exporting the promise of entrepreneurship to the Mediterranean countries Concluding thoughts and recommendations Enhancement of human capital: entrepreneurship education Enhancement of entrepreneurship ecosystem Notes References 9 Grading the Implementation Prospects: Where Do We Go from Here? Good policy advice often goes unheeded Policy makers listen to the wrong social scientists Policy makers rely too much on social sciences with poor forecasting records Lack of social science consensus is seen as an obstacle to successful interventions Useful social science has broad application References Index Back Cover This Book Provides A Culturally Nuanced Analysis Of Key Issues Relating To Youth Unemployment. Examining The Causes And Consequences Of Youth Unemployment, It Assesses Ways Forward To Promote Economic Self-sufficiency.