This diploma thesis aims to analyze and evaluate the structure of the labour market in different economic cycles in the Czech Republic during 2004-2014 and compare reciprocity with German labour market, which is closest to the Czech. The theoretical part deals with general issues in the labour market, the economic cycle and the development of the global economic crisis. The work confirms the hypothesis that nowadays in 2014, four years after the economic crisis that hit the Czech economy in 2008-2010, the structure of the labour market in the Czech Republic has changed compared to the years before crisis. It also partially confirms the minor hypothesis that labour market indicators still haven´t reached the level which Czech Republic had before the crisis. The unemployment rate is still not at pre-crisis levels, but employment improved compared to 2008

The claim that economic crisis matters for well-being seems intuitive; supporting evidence, however, remains elusive. The present study aims to examine the individual and contextual determinants of well-being across regions in Europe during the 2007-2008 economic crisis. This study contributes to the existing research on the determinants of well-being in three ways. First, while most studies explain the determinants of well-being in the context of non-crisis, this study examines the determinants during a period of crisis. Second, while most research on well-being focuses on cross-national comparisons of well-being, this study investigates variations at both the regional and national levels. Third, while most studies use either individual or aggregate analyses to examine the determinants of well-being, this study uses multilevel models. This study uses datasets that combine individual, regional and country level data. Individual data is taken from the 2008 European Values Study (EVS) and the 2004-2010 European Social Survey (ESS). Regional level data comes from Eurostat and Euroboundarymaps, while country level data comes from the Inglehart Index, UNU-WIDER and Esping-Andersen categorisation on welfare states. To analyse the data, this study uses various multilevel models including multivariate multilevel model, multilevel simultaneous equations model and spatial dependence multilevel model. The main findings show that during the crisis under consideration, well-being is associated not only with individual determinants, but also with regional and national determinants. Results suggest that happiness and health are positively correlated at individual, regional and national levels. In terms of social capital, this study shows the reciprocal relationship between association membership and trust. Frequent Internet use at the time of crisis is positively associated with well-being. Finally, the findings suggest that, by means of unobserved factors, well-being is spatially correlated with the well-being of those neighbouring regions.

The global economic crisis that began in 2007 affected the lives of many people in the UK. Most existing research into the effects of ‘the Great Recession’ on well-being takes an economic or subjective approach to assessing the impacts of hard times. This thesis takes an alternative perspective: the Capabilities Approach (CA) is used to assess the effects of economic crisis on people’s freedom to lead flourishing lives. The study develops a theoretical framework that combines the CA with concepts from Philosophy and Social Psychology - the theories of practical reason and personal values. These concepts are then operationalised using data from the European Social Survey and quantitative methods, including latent variable techniques and structural equation models. The study reveals that economic crisis had a two-fold effect on well-being, resulting in (1) reduced opportunities to achieve valuable outcomes and (2) diminished expectations, aspirations and goals. These effects were concentrated among socio-economically vulnerable groups, including those on low incomes and the long-term sick and disabled: the findings show that economic crisis compounded existing socio-economic inequalities. The research makes three main contributions. First, it demonstrates theoretically and empirically that subjective well-being is not a reliable indicator for evaluating the effects of hard times on well-being; nor is it, more generally, a suitable guide for public policy. Second, it demonstrates a new methodological approach to identifying latent ‘value orientations’ within Schwartz’s framework of personal values. Third, in combining the CA with theories of practical reason and personal values, this research offers a new approach to conceptualising and measuring the agency aspect of capability.

Il est historiquement prouvé que crise économique rime avec désorganisation des institutions. L’effort d’un encadrement juridique de la crise nous amène donc à constater une transformation flagrante des règles de droit émises pendant cette période. Dans le cadre du processus législatif, cette transformation se produit par le déclenchement des mécanismes exceptionnels. Ainsi, la législation de la crise consiste principalement à l’édiction des normes législatives par le pouvoir exécutif sur la base de son pouvoir législatif exceptionnel. A cet égard, l’exigence de flexibilité issue de la crise semble justifier une nouvelle répartition des pouvoirs. A l’origine de cette nouvelle répartition se trouve une tentative de faire passer à tout prix des mesures qui apporteront des bénéfices économiques, sauf que ces mesures s’étendent dans le champ des droits et libertés en imposant des restrictions considérables à leur jouissance. Face à cet ébranlement institutionnel, le juge constitutionnel reste souvent passif, en se limitant à un contrôle restreint des actes adoptés selon des procédures exceptionnelles. Ainsi, les problèmes financiers prennent un caractère vivement politique qui conduit le juge national à s’autolimiter pour ne pas s’immiscer dans les questions qui semblent constituer des choix politiques. La Grèce constitue un exemple emblématique de ce phénomène. Les réformes effectuées au cours de ces dernières années par les gouvernements grecs successifs touchent les domaines les plus cruciaux de la vie socioéconomique du pays. La grande majorité de ces réformes et, incontestablement les plus importantes parmi eux, sont fondées sur une législation d’exception / It is historically proven that economic crisis rhymes with disorganization of institutions. The effort of a legal definition and delimitation of the crisis leads to a blatant transformation of the legal rules issued during this period. As a part of the legislative process, this transformation takes place by the implementation of exceptional mechanisms to deal with emergencies. Thus, the legislation of the crisis consists mainly of the enactment of legislative norms by the executive power on the basis of its exceptional legislative power. In this context, the requirement of flexibility resulting from the crisis seems to justify a new division of powers. This redistribution is based in an attempt to pass at all costs measures which will bring economic benefits, except that these measures extend into the field of rights and freedoms by imposing considerable restrictions on their enjoyment. Faced with this institutional disruption, the constitutional judge often remains passive, limiting itself to a limited control of the acts adopted by exceptional procedures. Thus, the financial problems acquire a highly political character which leads the national judge to restrict himself so as not to interfere with the questions that seem to constitute political choices. Greece is an emblematic example of this phenomenon. The reforms undertaken in recent years by successive Greek governments affect the most crucial areas of the country's socio-economic life. The vast majority of these reforms, and undoubtedly the most important among them, are based on an exceptional legislation

This dissertation is concerned with the documentation and analysis of contemporary responses of a particular segment of Greek society to the economic crisis that has impacted on Greece, Europe and the wider capitalist world. Based on ethnographic research conducted in multiple sites, including the city of Athens and the village of Kandyla, I argue that dynamic contemporary connections exist between rural and urban Greece in relation to these responses. I also argue that contemporary responses to the crisis among this segment of society, notably small-business people, are constructed through and built upon strategies that have long histories in Greek village life and that are informed by responses to earlier crises, the memories of which are kept alive both materially and discursively. These responses are rooted in and performed in what Herzfeld has called “collective identification” evident in a set of shared sentiments among research participants regarding the valorisation of hard work and the principle of self-sufficiency, the parasitic nature of the Greek state, the constant production of insiders and outsiders in relation to the state, the use of reciprocity in business contexts, and the deployment of stereotypes regarding youths and politicians. / Dissertation (MSocSci) University of Pretoria, 2017. / Anthropology and Archaeology / MSocSci / Unrestricted

The research is a practical theological exploration which analysed prophetic preaching in neo-Pentecostal Christianity during the socio-economic and socio-political crisis. At the centre of Pentecostalism is the notion of preaching and prophecy. In an attempt to understand prophetic preaching in these neo-Pentecostal churches the study examines the trends and behaviour of the neo-Pentecostal prophets and the critical aspect of how these ministries communicate the gospel to its adherents. The critical focus of the research is the question of whether the meaning of prophetic preaching refers to sermons that in some way predict the future or to preaching that addresses significant social issues and concerns. It also questions whether the adherents of these new ministries are inspired by the gospel of faith or are they driven by the socio-economic and socio-political crisis which may eventually not be accurate understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The research addresses the terrors and doubts of many people who are trapped between Christian belief and terror and reaction to the declaration of the prophetic gospel of prosperity by the neo-Pentecostal prophets particularly in Zimbabwe. The theoretical statement of this research is that there appears to be an understated renewal element in the theology of neo-Pentecostal Christianity in Zimbabwe as is evidently expressed through the movement of Christians from the traditional churches to these neo-Pentecostal churches in tendencies which reflect the fluctuating religious topography and the expression of African Christianity in general and Zimbabwean Christianity in particular. The research explores the landscape, influence and importance of neo-Pentecostal Christianity in Zimbabwean community in general. The identity and nature of neo-Pentecostal Christianity in its practical theological exploration discussed the origins of the neo-Pentecostal prophets, their churches and the sermons they preach and the dynamics that promote the growth of these ministries in the context of God’s plans for evangelism and the community in particular. Fundamental to this kind of Christianity are the similes of power and prosperity which are believed to be symbols of faith. The effect and impact of this type of faith expression in the socio-economic and socio-political scene has been fully reconnoitred. The primary methodology in this research is the qualitative method complemented by quantitative methods. A practical theological framework was used in the research especially with Osmer’s core tasks of practical theological interpretation, as it was used to interpret the unfolding trends of the phenomenon under exploration. The research discloses how people’s socio-economic and socio-political fears and hopes in the hub of life’s challenges lure them toward new ministries which promise to absolutely encourage a magnificent life with real results being received in the ‘here and now’. This study has reviewed how religion and politics interacted specifically in the Zimbabwean context and how they affect each other. It has also reviewed how religion especially neo-Pentecostal Christianity, has been seen as a platform of a lavish life in the environment of people’s desires and challenges. There is longing in neo-Pentecostal Christianity, for wealth and health as expressions of salvation and a faithful Christian life. Strangely, there is diminutive references to moral and ethical issues from the neo-Pentecostal prophetic preaching, it was noted that their preaching is centred on declarations, prosperity, prophecy, deliverance, health, and miracles. These themes are the pillars of prophetic preaching in neo-Pentecostal Christianity in Zimbabwe and they are considered as signs of being saved and to have received blessings from God. When one lacks these things and economic success one is regarded as demons possessed and it causes poor health hence one needs to be delivered from the bondage of Satan. Such teachings have accustomed the potential converts to seek after material things and values as acute features of the significance of salvation and the mission of Christ. The fundamentals of the research compared the Old Testament prophets’ prophetic preaching with that of neo-Pentecostal prophets and finds that neo-Pentecostalism preaching has failed to be prophetic in the sense of eighth century prophets like Elijah, Isaiah, Amos, and Elisha who rebuked the kings, merchants, and priests for their immoral practices. Prophecy as seen from the Old Testament prophets is described as a medium of communication between God and his chosen nation Israel; prophecy was meant to rebuke, challenge and change Israel’s attitude and follow the statutes and commandments of God which were the basis for their everyday living. Hence the research has noted that the neo-Pentecostal prophets failed to meet this standard set by the ancient prophets. The research went on to expose that neo-Pentecostal Christianity encourages in an indirect way of making disciples instead of the traditional way of faith response to the gospel proclamation. But does this neo-Pentecostal gospel alleviate poverty or does it have any relevance to edify one’s life to have a better relationship with God? The eight chapters of this research has embarked on these questions, pointing the way to the four elements of preaching as a new theory for praxis. These four elements ended up looking at the gospel of contentment as a response to a dependable Christian evangelisation that is alive and related to the meaning of salvation and bring this nation out of this socio-economic and socio- political crisis. The research concludes that the four elements of preaching and especially gospel of contentment is the panacea providing meaning and solutions to the varied human fears, corruption, economic and political meltdown of the country that portrays the provisional nature of human existence. This can be achieved when the church practices prophetic preaching as the men of the eighth century did. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Practical Theology / PhD / Unrestricted

This thesis tests one of the approaches that analyzes the rise of right-wing populist parties, "the economic crisis" approach. The core idea of this theory is that during an economic crisis, there is a rise of electoral support for the right-wing populist parties. The two case studies which are studied are the (Northern) League in Italy and the National Front/Rally in France. These analyses include a brief history of the said parties, their political profile, and the results in elections after the 2008-2009 financial crisis. As well as data on the profile of supporters of these parties and the reasons why they support these parties, and their views on some of the main political and social issues. From the data confrontation it is shown that there is no correlation between times of economic hardship, and the electoral success of these parties. And what is more important supporters of these parties also emphasize reasons related with identity rather than economic problems for supporting these parties. For economic issues they have a similar perception to the rest of the population. Keywords Populism, right-wing populism, populist parties, economic crisis, elections, identity.

No / The global financial and economic shock of 2007-09 is the third major economic crisis to have buffeted Cambodia in its post-conflict period, coming in the wake of the food crisis of 2007-08 and just a decade after the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 (the "triple crises"). Cambodia's post-conflict history can be divided into two periods: 1991-98, referred to as the early phase of transition during which the first of the triple crises, the Asian financial crisis, occurred; and 1998 to the present, the late phase of transition during which the food and economic shocks transpired. A stocktake of the developments in Cambodia's post-conflict history suggests that the country has come a long way in reinstituting the foundations of a capitalist economic and procedural democracy but has yet to make significant headway in economic sophistication and substantive democracy. The triple crises were different, yet had similar characteristics. They were all exogenously-driven shocks with their own specific causes but their effects were shaped by the country's situation at the time. In terms of magnitude of impact, the global financial and economic downturn was the worst of the three crises. That it caused the first ever growth contraction in the post-conflict period was sufficient rationale for the series of studies that substantiate this book. Like the two shocks that preceded it however, the way it impacted on Cambodia cannot be understood in isolation from the overall post-conflict milieu. The thesis here is not that endogenous factors caused the crisis. It is simply that endogenous factors shaped the impact of the crisis and a historical, as opposed to a static, analysis better illuminates the nature of the impact. This book is an in-depth comprehensive examination of the impact of the global financial and economic crisis on Cambodia. It probes into the effects of the shock at macro, sectoral and micro levels using qualitative and quantitative techniques.

This dissertation examines how managers make cost decisions under significant economic events. The economic events of interests are the economic crisis from 2008 to 2010 and corporate loan financing. The economic crisis caused many firms to experience sales declines and created tremendous pessimism about prospects of sales rebounding in the future. I find that not all firms were affected equally. Sales-down firms exhibit anti-sticky cost behavior during this period; that is, costs are cut back more steeply as sales fall than they increase as sales rise. Such a behavior during the economic crisis is exactly the opposite of the average sticky cost behavior during normal economic periods documented in prior accounting research. This, in turn, implies that net income and cash flows from operations (as percentage of sales) may increase, rather than decrease for sales-down firms during an economic downturn. In the second study, I use a difference-in-difference research design to examine whether and how managers engage in cost management before and after loan financing. I find that managers significantly cut back operating expenses prior to loan financing. However, cost reduction is asymmetric with respect to the direction of sales changes. Compared with firms experiencing sales increases, firms experiencing sales declines reduce costs to a greater extent prior to financing and also exhibit a reversion in the cost level after financing. The reversion in cost level is negatively related to the percentage of financial covenants that are based on earnings. I do not find consistent evidence supporting that managers engage in accrual management, overproduction or asset sales. / Business Administration/Interdisciplinary

O presente trabalho examina as políticas econômicas adotadas pelo Brasil como medidas de enfrentamento à crise econômica mundial iniciada em 2007-2008. Para isso, apresenta-se a conceituação de crise econômica e suas flutuações, além de um breve histórico de crises econômicas em alguns países em determinados períodos. Em sequência, é apresentada a definição de política econômica, com ênfase na política fiscal e na política monetária e creditícia, bem como seus instrumentos de estabilização ou precaução às crises. Após essa etapa, o trabalho registra os principais efeitos da crise econômica no mundo, expondo os principais indicadores e os principais efeitos da crise econômica no Brasil. Para cumprir sua proposta, explora as principais medidas de políticas econômicas adotadas no Brasil como forma de conter a crise mundialmente instaurada. Os procedimentos metodológicos utilizados são: revisão bibliográfica e pesquisa empírica de dados secundários para apresentação da crise internacional; pesquisa teórica e empírica secundária sobre as medidas econômicas adotadas pelo Brasil e a análise do conteúdo apurado, estabelecendo a avaliação baseada no respectivo levantamento bibliográfico. / This paper examines the economic policies adopted by Brazil as measures to fight the global economic crisis that began in 2007-2008. In order to accomplish that, the concept of economic crisis and its fluctuations is presented, as well as a brief history of economic crises in s few countries over certain times. Then, the definition of economic policy, with an emphasis on tax policy and monetary and credit policy, highlighting their stabilization instruments or measures of precaution against crises are presented. After this step, the research reports the main effects of the economic crisis in the world economy, exposing the key indicators and the main effects of the economic crisis in Brazil. To fulfill its main proposal, the study explores the key measures of economic policies adopted in Brazil as a way to stem the worldwide crisis. The methodological procedures used are: literature review and empirical research of secondary data to present the international crisis; theoretical and secondary empirical research on economic measures adopted by Brazil, and the analysis of the discussed points, developing an assessment based on the respective literature.