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Roots of the Recent Recoveries: Labor Reforms or Private Sector Forces?

Author

Listed:
  • Jean-Paul Fitoussi

    (OFCE - Observatoire français des conjonctures économiques (Sciences Po) - Sciences Po - Sciences Po)

  • David Jestaz

    (Alliance Program - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - X - École polytechnique - Sciences Po - Sciences Po - University of Columbia)

  • Edmund S Phelps

    (Center on Capitalism and Society - Columbia University [New York])

  • Gylfi Zoega

    (Department of Economics, Mathematics and Statistics - Birkbeck College [University of London])

Abstract

It is widely agreed that the natural unemployment rate recovered strongly in several OECD economies in the 1990s while not yet in the others. This paper draws on models by the authors endogenizing the path of the natural rate in order to trace the causes and apportion the credit. The results suggest that the five structural reforms of the labor market urged by the OECD Secretariat were effective and account for some of the recovery where adopted. However, the paper sees most of the recoveries as largely the emergence from structural slump to a structural boom--a boom brought by revived investment in employees, customers and fixed capital. Behind this revival is a recovery of business-asset valuations resulting from improved expectations for productivity growth and, judging by the stock market, hopes for a future lift in business earnings that exceeds extrapolations of the past--both driven by the "new economy."

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-Paul Fitoussi & David Jestaz & Edmund S Phelps & Gylfi Zoega, 2000. "Roots of the Recent Recoveries: Labor Reforms or Private Sector Forces?," Post-Print hal-01011185, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01011185
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://sciencespo.hal.science/hal-01011185
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    References listed on IDEAS

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