This paper challenges the institutional sclerosis view of the German crisis according to which rigid labour markets and generous welfare state institutions have driven Germany into its position as „Europe’s sick man“. In general, the view is not convincing, because the underlying...

The paper fundamentally challenges the institutional sclerosis explanation of the present German economic stagnation. Instead, we present a macroeconomic explanation focusing on the combined effects of too restrictive monetary policies, too restrictive and sometimes pro- cyclical fiscal policies...

In a Kaleckian monetary distribution and growth model with conflict inflation we assess the role of a Non-Accelerating Inflation Rate of Unemployment (NAIRU). The short-run stability of a NAIRU is examined taking into account real debt effects of accelerating and decelerating inflation, and the...