Twenty years ago the social-democratic parties had successes with the policy of the radical centre. The present column analyzes the experiences of the German SPD. The SPD-ideologist Thomas Meyer propagates a social democracy, which defends the positive fundamental rights. Attention is paid to both the view of the social-democratic main current, and the left wing within the SPD (Eppler and Nahles). The OECD data files are used for studying the policy effects of the radical centre .... Read more
30-01-2021: The radical centre and the Purple cabinets
Author: E.A. Bakkum
During the ninetees of the last century the ideology of the radical centre emerges, which henceforth is supported by centre-left parties. The present column again summarizes its principles. The American variant is described, which has laid the foundations. Next the policy of the two Purple cabinets in the Netherlands is studied, because these can also be ranked among the movement of the radical centre. Much attention is paid to the criticism within the PvdA with regard to its own Purple coalition .... Read more
14-01-2021: Collective ownership of the means of production
Author: E.A. Bakkum
The diversity of ownership forms has always fascinated the economists. The present column first describes several principles of property. Next an analysis is presented for three basic forms of ownership within the enterprise. The case of the production cooperation is studied in detail. Finally the social property is studied, such as is present in Leninism. The Leninist enterprise is modelled mathematically .... Read more
28-12-2020: Power models and practice
Author: E.A. Bakkum
It becomes increasingly common in economics to complement the traditional neoclassical paradign with models of human behaviour, such as power politics. The present column describes two models, where the tournament is combined with rent seeking. They are placed in the context of the revolt theory of J.S. Coleman. Furthermore, tournaments with immaterial (ideological) bonuses are discussed, similar to the proposal by D. Pels and the habit in Leninism .... Read more
15-12-2020: Models of power
Author: E.A. Bakkum
Group power plays an important role in economic systems. The present column presents three models of the abuse of power. First, the power distribution in networks is analyzed. It turns out that in bilateral exchange processes the power is determined by the position in the network. Next, the theory of rent seeking behaviour by interest groups is addressed. The goal is to redistribute the incomes. Finally, the theory of the tournament as a source of rewards is studied. The tournament can increase the motivation of risk-neutral workers, such as management .... Read more