The Swedish economy /

The apparent breakdown of the ``Swedish Model'' has received much attention lately, e.g., in Erik Lundberg's ``The Rise and Fall of the Swedish Model'' (Journal of Economic Literature, 23, March 1985: 1-36) and Per-Martin Meyerson, The Welfare State in Crisis: The Case of Sweden (1982), both of which address several themes covered in much greater depth in this current volume. Its eight chapters contain the results of research conducted by seven American (mostly Brookings) scholars, which were presented at a 1986 conference on the Swedish economy. Sweden's unemployment and inflation problems, declining growth rates, rising budget deficits, and deteriorating trade position in the 1970s are analyzed from macro- and microeconomic perspectives. Major attention is devoted to the effects of tax, employment, and income transfer policies on labor markets, incentives, economic efficiency, and Sweden's international competitiveness. In their comments, several Swedish conference participants register reservations about some conclusions and policy recommendations. This volume contains the most thorough and up-to-date analysis of the Swedish economy available (and informative comparisons with recent US experiences). Tables; figures; very good index. Highly recommended for graduate and advanced undergraduate students.-H.D. Renning, California State University, Stanislaus