Anfang 2004 trat der in der sogenannten Hartz-III-Reform beschlossene Umbau der Vermittlungstätigkeit der öffentlichen Arbeitsverwaltung in Kraft. Ziel war es, die Arbeitslosigkeit durch eine schnellere Jobvermittlung zu senken. Zwar nahm die Arbeitslosigkeit seitdem tatsächlich ab, der Autor...

In this article, we discuss reform elements of "Hartz IV". This includes, on the one hand, merging unemployment benefits with housing benefits and the additional child benefits (Kinderzuschlag) and, on the other hand, reducing disincentives which prevent the recipients from earning higher...

Germany's new government attempts once again to get rid of the infamous "Hartz IV" name for the country's basic income support. The new "Bürgergeld" not only sports a new name, it also formulates new rules for sanctions and for considering income and property.

The Hartz IV labour market reform in 2005 triggered a substantial reduction in unemployment in Germany. At the same time, it reduced social welfare for the long-term unemployed and increased uncertainty for the employed. The proposed reform by the new government ("Bürgergeld") will adjust the...

In its coalition agreement, the German government proposes a reorganisation of the rules of earned income to be considered as a means test of basic income. In doing so, it takes up a frequently voiced criticism of the design of the basic income support for job-seekers under Book II of the Social...

The authors discuss the reform of basic security in the direction of a "citizen's income" in the coalition agreement of the new "traffic light coalition" at the federal level against the background of fundamental considerations on the future of the welfare state, including those from the...

The new German federal government wants to replace the unemployment benefit II (Arbeitslosengeld II) with a so-called citizen's income ("Bürgergeld"). In doing so, it needs to make major changes. Measures outlined in the coalition agreement indicate that the existing imbalance in the so called...

Die Bundesregierung will das System der Grundsicherung für Arbeitsfähige radikal reformieren. Neben der Abschaffung des Vermittlungsvorrangs und der Stärkung der Qualifizierung will sie vor allem die Zuverdienstmöglichkeiten für Hilfeempfänger:innen verbessern. Fachleute zerbrechen sich...