The objective of the course is to enable students to make informed decisions about policy proposals that affect labor market institutions. To reach this goal, students obtain a profound understanding of the effects of differently designed labor market institutions on the labor market, both from a theoretical perspective and the empirical literature.

The course does not cover all relevant labor market institutions but focuses on the issues most important on the current policy agenda: the sustainability of social insurance systems (unemployment, disability and pension insurance, social assistance), ageing populations and the demographic change (retirement and family policies), minimum wages, and migration policies.

We start by discussing the theoretical effects of a given institution on the labor market. Afterwards we discuss the empirical literature that analyzes how the institution affects the labor market in reality. We conclude each topic by summarizing lessons learned for possible policy improvements that reduce undesired effects on the labor market.

For further informations please see the course directory.

All course material will be posted on ADAM.