Economic policy, crisis and innovation : beyond austerity in Europe

"This book is a Festschrift to Annamaria Simonazzi and embraces the themes that she has contributed to over the years through her insightful and inspiring works. It brings together contributions from a number of distinguished European economists, who present a tribute to her and engage in a dialogue with her research, simultaneously reflecting on the process of growing economic disintegration in the European Union, its causes and possible remedies. The book shows the deep interrelations between macroeconomic issues and the social sphere, and points to the need to rethink the very foundations of European economic policies, as an effective antidote to growing imbalances and disintegration. In particular, the effects of austerity are assessed alongside the dimensions of inequality, gender discrimination, poverty and unemployment, broadening the perspective also beyond the Eurozone. The authors envision a progressive society, in which investments in research and intelligent industrial policies govern the process of technological changes and drive the economy towards a more efficient and more equal model of development characterised by high productivity and high wages. While some chapters deal directly with policy issues, policy suggestions and proposals are scattered throughout the whole book. This volume will appeal to academics, economists and policy makers interested in understanding the policy response of the European institutions to the challenges posited by both the Great Recession and the subsequent developments of the European economies. The book is written in an engaging and accessible way and the themes are broad enough to generate interest from the international public."