This book investigates the empirical validity of the claim that labor market deregulation serves as an effective solution to the persistent problem of mass unemployment in Europe. The authors, Gøsta Esping-Andersen and Marino Regini, curate a multidisciplinary collection of research from economists, political scientists, and sociologists to challenge conventional policy assumptions. By synthesizing comparative international data with specific national case studies, the text evaluates whether the causal link between rigid labor regulations and high unemployment rates is supported by evidence or if it is a product of political rhetoric.

Experts recognize this volume as a critical contribution to the debate on European labor policy, noting its rigorous approach to challenging neoliberal orthodoxy. Readers frequently highlight the academic density of the prose and the depth of the comparative data provided by the contributors.