ABSTRACT
This book compares two countries with striking parallels in economic and political outcomes, yet with some distinct features in terms of institutional structures, relative size, and culture. Therefore, this book forms a fruitful platform for the study of the similarities and differences in the economic and societal development of Japan and Finland. Despite their geographic distance from one another and the aforementioned differences, both countries experienced rather similar economic and societal development patterns after the Second World War. The study of these societies both individually and through commonalities will provide a unique perspective on the emergence of modern economies and institutions.
The book provides comprehensive coverage on issues such as welfare state formation and society, security and military spending, education system, industrial development, international trade, governmental economic policies, energy solutions, and bubbles and their collapse; thus, issues typical for these countries, as well as most modern states, studied from a longitudinal perspective.
The book aims to answer a fundamental question in social science: Why do there seem to be common trends and developmental paths among countries differing in size, culture, and economic structure? This book will provide insights for those seeking to decipher how the developments in their own countries came about and where they may be headed to.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|17 pages
Introduction
part II|73 pages
Welfare societies
chapter 3|22 pages
Two paths to building a welfare society
part III|61 pages
Macroeconomic policies
chapter 6|18 pages
Macroeconomic thinking and policymaking in post-war Japan and Finland
part IV|61 pages
Trade and industry
part V|8 pages
Concluding remarks