The framing of active labour market policies: A comparative analysis of discursive frames in the context of German and Austrian labour market reforms in the 1960s

Abstract

In the late 1960s, under comparable economic circumstances a far-reaching policy change was initiated in the field of labour market policies in Austria and Germany. In this context, the adoption of the Labour Market Promotion Act (AMFG) in Austria and of the Labour Promotion Act (AFG) in Germany were inspired by the Swedish approach to active labour market policies which was promoted as best practice by international organisations like the OECD. This article is focussing on the discursive frames associated with the two reforms. In doing so, it contributes to of policy change in internationally comparative research.