This paper examines how labor market inequality influences policy preferences in post-industrial societies. It argues that two dimensions of vulnerability - individual labor status (unemployed, temporary/contract workers or permanent employed) and occupational unemployment rates (occupations with high or low job prospects) - together determine citizens' views on the labor market.
Conceptual Framework
The insider-outsider dualization model is adapted to understand labor market risks. This approach recognizes that both employment status and occupation characteristics shape perceptions of vulnerability in different ways.
Data & Methods
Cross-national survey data was analyzed using statistical methods like logistic regression, allowing for examination across multiple contexts simultaneously.
Key Findings
The results show citizens with insecure jobs (temporary/contract) or those unemployed display stronger preferences against dualization. Those employed in stable positions prefer fewer protections for outsiders while workers in low-unemployment sectors favor more security measures.
Theoretical Significance
The findings demonstrate that policy preferences are shaped by both direct job insecurity and indirect concerns about occupational prospects, offering a nuanced view of how labor market divides translate into political attitudes.
