請回答下列任一問題。端賴你如何探討這個主題，你也許需要參考相關閱讀資料外的東西，不過基本上可以只依賴課堂上所提供的教材。

1. 在大部分的文獻中，「協調性資本主義」也就是俱有德、日風格的資本主義，常被視為是國際競爭中的優勢。特別是它以強調維持較低的所得不均、失業率，改善人力生產和以遠程目標為企業的優先考量來促進國內社會團結。但是這個運作模式鮮少被論及的短處目前已逐漸在某些方面浮現，諸如：被拒之門外的勞動人口（女性勞工過少）、缺乏創新和新公司的成立……等。請就上述的任一問題來詳細評估協調性資本主義所帶來的負面影響。這篇論文可以著眼於一個特定國家和一個特定的議題－切記這些一定要定位於普遍受影的層面。
   
   
2. 管制的解除是否真的減弱政府在經濟上扮演的角色？請就西歐國家在產業政策或民營化或競爭政策方面的經驗來評論這議題。論文可以一特定國家為研究對象，但記得說明你的研究結果。

這篇報告必須約15~20頁，且在最後一堂課繳交。

論文一

二次大戰後西歐政治局勢對於其經濟迅速成長是否重要？或是用一般標準的經濟成長理論就可恰當的了解西歐戰後三十年經濟的加速成長和七○年代到九○年代接腫而至的經濟遲滯？

在論文中，請評估其他政治和政府可能促進成長的理論，也就是: 著重於機制、意識、政府和黨派的人事……等等。請至少就二個歐洲社會來申論。

這篇論文必須有約15頁，雙行間距。繳交至第八堂課開始時截止。著手寫報告前，請先把到第七堂課前的閱讀資料讀完。

論文二

今天各種政治信念的歐洲人表示他們希望避免"美國模式"的社會。在這些爭論中，雖然這個"美國模式"有各式各樣的特質，但是它共通的核心觀念是指一個社會的結構和立法造成資源、權力分配不均加劇以及持續的剝奪一部份人取得社會福利的權利。為什麼歐洲人覺得社會該朝這方向前進也許和全球化、美國在國際上扮演的角色……等有關。你的報告可以從任何你覺得合理且與讓歐洲擔憂的壓力和危機來源相關層面來著手。

不過請把報告的交點集中在闡述歐洲而不是美國，在區域性、國家性（也就是歐洲整體而言）的政治、政策及機制上可用以永續各種貧富分配結果和不同的社會典範。根據過去十年的經驗，我們能找到什麼証據來証明的確是有其他的方式來採取或回應由國際競爭、新科技和資金流動所產生的壓力？請至少探討在兩個國家所找到的証明。如果你認為美國化是無可避免的，也請闡釋為何是什樣。

這篇論文必須要12－15頁。第十二堂課開始時停止繳交。

Please answer one of the following two questions. Depending on how you choose to explore the topic, you may need to consult a few sources beyond the reading, but essentially you can rely the materials already presented in the seminar.

1. In much of the literature the distinctive characteristics of "coordinated capitalism" or German-Japanese style capitalism are presented as strengths in international competition and above all as virtues in reinforcing social solidarity at home by emphasizing the value of maintaining relatively narrow income inequalities, lower unemployment, enhancing human resources in production and giving priority to long-time horizons in firm strategy. The weaknesses of these systems are less discussed, yet some areas do emerge as troubling, for example, the exclusion from the workforce of some parts of the population (low female workforce participation) and the apparent weaknesses in innovation and new firm creation. Evaluate the "downside" of coordinated capitalism by considering in some detail one of these areas. You may focus your essay on one country and one area--but be sure to situate it with respect to the general issues at stake.
   
   
2. Does deregulation really reduce the role of the state in the economy? Evaluate this issue with respect to the specific experiences of European states in the area of industrial policy, or privatization, or competition policy. You may focus your essay on one country, but be certain to explain the general implications of your findings.

The essay is due at the last class. It should be about 15-20 pages.

Essay 1

Did politics matter for rapid economic growth in West Europe after World War II? Or can standard economic explanations of growth provide an adequate understanding of the acceleration of economic growth in West Europe during the first thirty years after the war and subsequently of slow-down in growth from the seventies through the nineties?

In your essay, evaluate alternative understandings of how politics and the state might have contributed to growth (i.e., explanations focussed on the role of institutions, ideas, the personnel of the state, parties, and forth.) Develop your arguments with reference to the experiences of at least two European societies.

The essay should be about 15 pages, doublespaced; it is due at the beginning of class #8. Please complete the reading through class #7 before writing the paper.

Essay 2

Many Europeans of all political persuasions argue today that they wish to avoid the "American model" of society. Though the "American model" is variously characterized in these arguments, the common core notion is of a society whose structures and regulations have allowed a widening of inequalities of resources and power and a continuing exclusion of a large segment of the population from the network of social welfare provision. Why Europeans feel their societies might move in such a direction may have to do with globalization, with the role of the United States in the international system, and other factors. Your paper may start from any assumptions you find reasonable about the sources of the pressures and dangers that trigger European alarm.

Please focus your essay, however, on laying out the kinds of politics, policies and institutions, at the regional, national or European levels, that might work to sustain different distributional outcomes--and different social models--in European countries than in the United States. What evidence do we have from the experiences of the past decade that there are real alternatives for adapting and responding to the pressures generated by international competition, new technologies, and capital mobility? Consider the evidence from at least two countries. If you believe convergence on the American model is inevitable, please explain that as well.

The essay should be 12-15 pages. It is due at the start of class #12.