East German unemployment: The myth of the irrelevant labor market

Merkl C, Snower D (2008)


Publication Language: English

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2008

Journal

Publisher: ME Sharpe

Book Volume: 31

Pages Range: 151-165

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.2753/PKE0160-3477310108

Abstract

This paper indicates that East Germany's unemployment problem originates primarily in the labor market, caused by the fast wage adjustment after German reunification. We model the resulting labor market "traps" in a search and matching framework, show that they are difficult to overcome, and provide empirical evidence. We argue that under these circumstances, demandside policies are effective mainly when they increase the economy's overall productivity and thereby help overcome the labor market traps.

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How to cite

APA:

Merkl, C., & Snower, D. (2008). East German unemployment: The myth of the irrelevant labor market. Journal of Post Keynesian Economics, 31(1), 151-165. https://dx.doi.org/10.2753/PKE0160-3477310108

MLA:

Merkl, Christian, and Dennis Snower. "East German unemployment: The myth of the irrelevant labor market." Journal of Post Keynesian Economics 31.1 (2008): 151-165.

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