Theoretical Paradigms and Mechanisms in Labour Market Policy Advice Theoretische Paradigmen und Mechanismen in der arbeitsmarktpolitischen Politikberatung

Abraham M (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Sozialer Fortschritt: unabhängige Zeitschrift für Sozialpolitik Gesellschaft für Sozialen Fortschritt

Book Volume: 75

Pages Range: 305-326

Journal Issue: 3

DOI: 10.3790/sfo.2026.1482902

Abstract

The article examines the role of theoretical paradigms in labour-market policy advice. It argues that controversies in labour economics are based less on incompatible worldviews than on different weightings of causal mechanisms. The article reconstructs a market and competition paradigm and a power and inequality paradigm, both of which function as selection devices for plausible causal relationships. Using the statutory minimum wage as an example, it shows how both perspectives lead to different ex ante predictions and how empirical evidence supports these predictions only in context-dependent ways. The article argues in favour of mechanism-based policy advice that explicitly addresses competing causal assumptions, trade-offs, and uncertainties.

Authors with CRIS profile

Martin Abraham Lehrstuhl für Soziologie und Empirische Sozialforschung (Schwerpunkt Arbeitsmarktsoziologie)

How to cite

APA:

Abraham, M. (2026). Theoretical Paradigms and Mechanisms in Labour Market Policy Advice Theoretische Paradigmen und Mechanismen in der arbeitsmarktpolitischen Politikberatung. Sozialer Fortschritt: unabhängige Zeitschrift für Sozialpolitik, 75(3), 305-326. https://doi.org/10.3790/sfo.2026.1482902

MLA:

Abraham, Martin. "Theoretical Paradigms and Mechanisms in Labour Market Policy Advice Theoretische Paradigmen und Mechanismen in der arbeitsmarktpolitischen Politikberatung." Sozialer Fortschritt: unabhängige Zeitschrift für Sozialpolitik 75.3 (2026): 305-326.

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