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Cambridge Journal of Economics Advance Access originally published online on December 6, 2007
Cambridge Journal of Economics 2008 32(3):367-393; doi:10.1093/cje/bem051
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© The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved.

The Swedish third way: an assessment of the performance and validity of the Rehn–Meidner model

Lennart Erixon*

* Stockholm University. Numerous social researchers have made constructive comments on earlier versions, not least the late Gösta Rehn and Rudolf Meidner and the participants in a Nordic network on economic policy with Lars Mjøset, Oslo University, as coordinator. In particular, I must mention the valuable comments on the last draft by Eva Skult, Birger and Erika Viklund. A longer version of the paper, including a formalisation of the wage and productivity functions in the Rehn–Meidner model, can be acquired from the author

Address for correspondence: Department of Economics, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; email: lex{at}ne.su.se

This paper analyses the functioning of the Rehn–Meidner model in Sweden and the validity of the model's underlying theory. Both sceptics and friends of ‘the Swedish model’ have exaggerated the effects of active labour market policy and solidarity wage policy on employment, inflation and growth. However, these policies have contributed to the reduction of hysteresis effects and wage differentials in Sweden. Furthermore, Swedish experiences confirm the Rehn–Meidner view that positive demand shocks and expansionary macroeconomic policies make it difficult to combine full employment with price stability, economic growth and equity even if central wage negotiations are coordinated and trade unions willingly accept wage restraint.

Key Words: Rehn–Meidner model • Wage policy of solidarity • Labour market policy • Phillips curve • Productivity growth

JEL classifications: E31, E63, J31, O11

Manuscript received November 17, 2006; final version received October 20, 2007.


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