Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society (한국산학기술학회논문지)

The Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society (한국산학기술학회)
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Political Economy of Inequality Mitigation : Experiences of Netherlands and Denmark

불평등 완화의 정치경제 : 네덜란드와 덴마크의 경험

  • Choi, Youseok (Department of Social Welfare, Hallym University)
  • 최유석 (한림대학교 사회복지학부)
  • Received : 2017.10.31
  • Accepted : 2017.12.08
  • Published : 2017.12.31
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Abstract

This study examines how the Netherlands and Denmark lowered the increase in income inequality, at a period in time when income inequality in the world was deepening. This study investigates the level and trend of income inequality in the Netherlands and Denmark compared to those in Korea, the United States, Germany and Sweden. Using the method of the decomposition of changes in income inequality, this study identifies which factors are associated with the changes in inequality in these countries. It also explores which labor market policies mitigated inequality in these two countries. One of the major reasons for the reduction in earned income inequality in the Netherlands is the increased participation of women in economic activity through the increase in voluntary part-time working. In particular, the policies designed to promote equal treatment between full-time and non-regular workers contributed to the active participation of women in part-time work. Using active labor market policies, Denmark improved the proficiency of low skilled and low-wage workers, thereby alleviating the wage gap between high-income and low-income workers. Based on the experiences of the Netherlands and Denmark, this study discusses policy directions to mitigate income inequality in Korea.

이 연구에서는 세계 각국의 소득불평등이 심화되는 가운데 네덜란드와 덴마크는 어떻게 불평등이 증가하는 정도를 낮출 수 있었는지를 살펴보았다. 한국, 미국, 독일, 스웨덴과 비교하여 네덜란드와 덴마크의 불평등 수준과 추이는 어떠한지, 불평등 변화의 분해를 통해 이 국가들에서 불평등 변화에 영향을 미친 요인은 무엇인지를 밝혔다. 또한 네덜란드와 덴마크는 어떠한 노동시장정책을 통해 불평등을 완화하였는지를 탐색하였다. 네덜란드에서 근로소득 불평등이 완화된 중요한 원인 중의 하나는 자발적 시간제 노동의 증가를 통해 여성의 경제활동 참여가 증진되었기 때문이다. 여성들이 시간제 노동에 적극적으로 참여하게 된 배경에는 정규직과 비정규직 간의 동등한 대우를 통해 자신의 상황에 맞게 경제활동에 참여할 수 있는 제도적 여건을 마련한 것이 중요한 요인으로 작용하였다. 덴마크는 기술훈련 강화 등 적극적 노동시장 정책을 통해 저숙련, 저임금 근로자의 숙련도를 향상시켜 임금격차를 완화할 수 있었다. 네덜란드와 덴마크의 경험에 기반하여 이 연구에서는 한국의 소득 불평등을 완화하는 정책방향을 논의하였다.

Keywords

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