Regulated self-regulation in Belgium : the case of the world of labor
This paper addresses the question of regulated self-regulation in Belgium in the nineteenth century. However, due to the magnitude of the subject, the question will be limited to the world of labor. First, some preliminary remarks will be made about the world of labor and that of the state, and their mutual relationship. This is followed by case-study analysis of two specific means of addressing danger in the labor world: the prevention of the explosion of steam engines and the prevention of accidents caused by dangerous machinery. The purpose of these examples is to illustrate the complex position of regulated self-regulation in the power struggle between the autonomy of the world of labor and state intrusion. The paper concludes with some remarks on the role of regulated self-regulation in social legislation and more specifically, in regards to the 1903 statute on labor accidents.
This note develops an efficiency wage model which displays persistent cycles under perfect foresight. Limit cycles arise from the dependence of current labor supply on both recent labor market conditions and the expected rate of job creation.