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The “Lisbon Goal” of the EU: Rhetoric or Substance?

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  • Wilhelm Kohler

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between the rhetoric of the Lisbon Goal of the EU and key insights from trade theory and growth theory. It argues that the policy initiative as such is valid, but the paradigm of international competitiveness is potentially misleading. The focus should, instead, be on productivity. Industrial policies, while potentially valid against the backdrop of recent developments in growth theory, are subject to pitfalls in practice. Policies focusing on institutions are more promising. The paper offers a framework for discussing the role of different types of institutions with respect to the Lisbon Goal. Copyright Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2006

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  • Wilhelm Kohler, 2006. "The “Lisbon Goal” of the EU: Rhetoric or Substance?," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 6(2), pages 85-113, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jincot:v:6:y:2006:i:2:p:85-113
    DOI: 10.1007/s10842-006-9473-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Karl Aiginger & Susanne Bärenthaler-Sieber & Johanna Vogel, 2013. "Competitiveness under New Perspectives. WWWforEurope Working Paper No. 44," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 47019, April.
    2. Peter Mayerhofer, 2017. "Oberösterreichs Wirtschaft im europäischen Konkurrenzumfeld. Zweiter Bericht zur internationalen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit, 2017," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 60592, April.
    3. Karl Aiginger & Susanne Bärenthaler-Sieber & Johanna Vogel, 2015. "Competitiveness of EU versus USA. WWWforEurope Policy Paper No. 29," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 58553, April.
    4. Peter Mayerhofer, 2022. "Vorarlbergs Wirtschaft im europäischen Konkurrenzumfeld. Bericht zur internationalen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit 2022," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 69424, April.
    5. Georg Licht & Bettina Peters & Christian Köhler & Franz Schwiebacher, 2014. "The Potential Contribution of Innovation Systems to Socio-Ecological Transition. WWWforEurope Deliverable No. 4," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 47502, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    European Union; economic growth; international competitiveness; productivity; F15; F43; O40; O52;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F43 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Economic Growth of Open Economies
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General
    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe

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