The viscious circle of competitive unemployment
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
ISSN: 0144-333X
Article publication date: 1 January 1999
Abstract
Investigates the possible social causes of unemployment; focuses on how competition among employers can increase and perpetuate already high levels of unemployment. Starts from the premise that, despite divergent attitudes, most industrialized nations make some collective provision for the unemployed, with firms ultimately bearing the costs. Describes how, although a firm may reduce its labour force to save money, it is ultimately, albeit collectively, paying the costs of unemployment via taxes to the State ‐ the main effect is to redistribute the costs to other organizations; depicts a resulting downward spiral in the economy. Looks at the relationships between increased productivity and the costs to society. Concludes that competitive unemployment is a reality and suggests possible solutions.
Keywords
Citation
Blackburn, R.M. (1999), "The viscious circle of competitive unemployment", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 19 No. 1/2, pp. 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443339910788640
Publisher
:MCB UP Ltd
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited