ABSTRACT
How can my empirical findings be interpreted? More precisely, how do the causal mechanisms hypothesised in the theoretical part operate in the cases analysed in the empirical part? And what do the cases analysed teach us about social concertation in Europe? First, this chapter sums up the results and assesses the explanatory power of three variables put forward in the hypotheses: European integration, party coalitions and politicisation. Then, it assesses the applicability of the theoretical insights in other cases with a very brief comparative glance at other traditionally corporatist countries (Sweden and the Netherlands), bigger states (Spain, Italy, France and Germany) and another policy sector (pensions). Finally, it concludes with an assessment of the functions of social concertation in times of austerity and globalisation.
