Jesús Caldera Sánchez-Capitán – Progressive policies to tackle the crisis: The example of Spain |
Spain is actively promoting progressive policies oriented to achieve a new model for our economy. These policies were designed during the ‘good times’ of high economic growth and low unemployment, and now it is not easy to sustain all of them through the ‘bad times’. But the government is making an effort, both because they open opportunities for new businesses and also because they foster social cohesion. Some of the most successful economic and social policies are:
- Renewable energies: the sector has rapidly grown (today employs 200.000 workers, expected to reach 1 million), based on incentives provided by the government, basically in wind and solar technologies.
- Research, Development and Innovation (R+D+i): in 2005 an ambitious 5-year program was designed to invest more public funds, and actively seek more investment in R+D+i from private firms.
- Investments in High-Speed-Rail (HSR): new HSR lines are built (10.000 km in service by 2020), creating economic activity, and promoting new patterns of mobility for passengers who shift from planes and cars to the new modern trains.
- Professional care for elderly and disabled: a new industry is being developed, fostered by a large public program of funding rights for assistance.
- Raising pensions: low pensions are being significantly raised since 2005, a policy aimed to provide higher disposable income for retired people, increase their welfare and improve social cohesion.
- Extension of unemployment benefit: long-term unemployed workers, who are about to finish the legal period during which they are entitled to perceive subsidies, are now being offered a basic subsidy of 420 euro/month conditioned on taking formative courses.
Special issue: proposals for a progressive governance
Tags:
economic crisis, Jesus Caldera, social democracy, spain
