Managing the crises : how did local governments react to the financial crisis in 2008 and what explains the differences ? The case of Swiss municipalities

Swiss municipalities are, to a large extent, responsible for their financial resources. Since these resources primarily depend on income and property taxes from individuals and enterprises, municipality budgets are likely to be directly affected by the current crisis in the financial sector and the economy. This article investigates how municipalities perceived this threat and how they reacted to it. In a nationwide survey conducted at the end of 2009 in all 2596 Swiss municipalities, we asked local secretaries which measures had been launched in order to cope with expected losses in tax income and a possible increase in welfare spending. Did the municipalities rely on Keynesian measures increasing public spending and accepting greater deficits, or did they try to avoid further deficits by using austerity measures and a withdrawal of planned investments? Our results show that only a few municipalities - mainly the bigger ones - expected to be greatly affected by the crisis. Their reactions, however, did not reveal any clear patterns that theory would lead one to expect. Preferences for austerity measures and deficit spending become visible but many municipalities took measures from both theories. The strongest explanatory factors for determining how/why municipalities react are: the municipality's level of affectedness followed by whether or not the municipality belongs to the French-speaking part of the country. Size also has an impact, whereas the strength of the Social Democrat party is negligible. Explaining what kind of measures municipalities are likely to take is more difficult. However, the more a municipality is affected, the more likely it is to stick to austerity measures.

Crisis económica, empleo e inmigración : informe del estudio “Inmigración, Empleo y Cohesión Social”

El análisis se centra por tanto en el impacto de la crisis económica tanto en el fenómeno migratorio (flujos de entrada) como en el mercado de trabajo y en modo particular en los posibles efectos asimétricos que la recesión tiene en las condiciones y trayectorias laborales de trabajadores inmigrantes y autóctonos. A modo de contextualización, el informe comienza con una breve exploración de los cambios en los Crisis Económica, Empleo e Inmigración flujos migratorios como consecuencia del cambio de ciclo que se produce desde mediados de 2007, . A continuación se ofrece una visión general de la evolución del empleo y el paro en España en los últimos años con especial énfasis en los efectos que la reciente crisis ha podido tener. Se presta particular atención a los cambios en la composición del grupo de desempleados, tanto a nivel estatal como regional. Asimismo, se compara el impacto sobre el mercado de trabajo de la crisis económica de inicios de los 90 con la actual. Otro aspecto que ha sido tratado es el de las posibles trayectorias de los trabajadores inmigrantes y autónomos, con especial énfasis en los flujos desde el estado de empleado a desempleado o inactivo. Asimismo, se exploran las características de los perceptores de prestaciones de desempleo usando datos tanto del registro de los servicios públicos de empleo como, en menor medida, de la Muestra Continua de Vidas Laborales (MCVL). Finalmente, en la cuarta sección comparamos la evolución reciente del mercado de trabajo en España con la de otros países europeos de su entorno. Ya que uno de los objetivos prioritarios del estudio es la comparación entre población autóctona e inmigrante, intentamos proveer una visión general de lo ocurrido en otros países en este sentido. Debido a la falta de datos comparables, ésta parte del informe se limita a apuntar algunas tendencias generales basadas en datos sobre la situación socio-laboral de los inmigrantes en diversos países.

Patologías colectivas en las crisis sociales: decadencia o transformación

Al present escrit tenim com objectiu desxifrar quines són les causes que porten a una societat, i concretament aquesta, fins al fracàs o fins el canvi psicològic. A partir de l’observació d’aquests canvis, hem decidit encunyar un nou terme: “patologies col·lectives”. Buscarem a tots el racons de la ment humana que tant s’està transformant en la modernitat, per trobar i descriure el més profundament possible que és el que està passant en la societat occidental i el perquè del naixement d’un nou problema en els nostres temps de crisi: les patologies col·lectives.

El proceso del despido colectivo. Análisis de su régimen jurídico tras la reforma laboral de 2012 y del efecto de la crisis económica en el mercado de trabajo

La institució de l'acomiadament col·lectiu s'ha vist afectada per la reforma operada pel Reial Decret-llei 3/2012, de 10 de febrer, i la seva posterior convalidació com a Llei 3/2012, de 6 de juliol, de mesures urgents per a la reforma del mercat laboral. Els nombrosos pronunciaments i interpretacions proposades per diferents sectors judicials i doctrinals han convertit la regulació legal i reglamentària dels procediments d'acomiadament col·lectiu en un focus d'especial interès, sobretot tenint en compte la profunda crisi econòmica per la qual travessa Espanya. A causa d'això, podem assentar que gran part dels impediments al creixement de l'economia espanyola eren conseqüència de les febleses que mostrava el model laboral. És per aquest motiu que en el present treball ens dediquem a estudiar les diverses modificacions normatives dels expedients de regulació d'ocupació, prestant especial atenció als aspectes relatius a l'eliminació de la tradicional autorització administrativa (excepte pels casos de força major), a la significativa reconfiguració de les causes econòmiques, tècniques, organitzatives i productives que justifiquen l'extinció dels contractes de treball, al període de consultes, a la informació a facilitar als representants dels treballadors en el propi, a les actuacions de l'Autoritat Laboral per vetllar per la seva efectivitat del període de consultes podent realitzar funcions d'advertiment, recomanació i assistència a les parts, al renovat contingut de l'informe de la Inspecció de Treball i Seguretat Social, als plans de recol·locació i a les mesures d'acompanyament social assumides per l'empresari, entre d’altres. En definitiva, mitjançant el treball realitzat a continuació podem endinsar-nos a aquesta qüestió de forma més profunda i composar així un anàlisis extens sobre la reforma efectuada en 2012 en matèria d'acomiadaments col·lectius.

Vulnerability of stream biota to climate change in mediterranean climate regions: a synthesis of ecological responses and conservation challenges

Freshwater species worldwide are experiencing dramatic declines partly attributable to ongoing climate change. It is expected that the future effects of climate change could be particularly severe in mediterranean climate (med-) regions, which host many endemic species already under great stress from the high level of human development. In this article, we review the climate and climate-induced changes in streams of med-regions and the responses of stream biota, focusing on both observed and anticipated ecological responses. We also discuss current knowledge gaps and conservation challenges. Expected climate alterations have already been observed in the last decades, and include: increased annual average air temperatures; decreased annual average precipitation; hydrologic alterations; and an increase in frequency, intensity and duration of extreme events, such as floods, droughts and fires. Recent observations, which are concordant with forecasts built, show stream biota of med-regions when facing climate changes tend to be displaced towards higher elevations and upper latitudes, communities tend to change their composition and homogenize, while some life-history traits seem to provide biota with resilience and resistance to adapt to the new conditions (as being short-lived, small, and resistant to low streamflow and desiccation). Nevertheless, such responses may be insufficient to cope with current and future environmental changes. Accurate forecasts of biotic changes and possible adaptations are difficult to obtain in med-regions mainly because of the difficulty of distinguishing disturbances due to natural variability from the effects of climate change, particularly regarding hydrology. Long-term studies are needed to disentangle such variability and improve knowledge regarding the ecological responses and the detection of early warning signals to climate change. Investments should focus on taxa beyond fish and macroinvertebrates, and in covering the less studied regions of Chile and South Africa. Scientists, policy makers and water managers must be involved in the climate change dialogue because the freshwater conservation concerns are huge.

Ecological change predicts population dynamics and genetic diversity over 120 000 years.

While ecological effects on short-term population dynamics are well understood, their effects over millennia are difficult to demonstrate and convincing evidence is scant. Using coalescent methods, we analysed past population dynamics of three lizard species (Psammodromus hispanicus, P. edwardsianus, P. occidentalis) and linked the results with climate change data covering the same temporal horizon (120 000 years). An increase in population size over time was observed in two species, and in P. occidentalis, no change was observed. Temporal changes in temperature seasonality and the maximum temperature of the warmest month were congruent with changes in population dynamics observed for the three species and both variables affected population density, either directly or indirectly (via a life-history trait). These results constitute the first solid link between ecological change and long-term population dynamics. The results moreover suggest that ecological change leaves genetic signatures that can be retrospectively traced, providing evidence that ecological change is a crucial driver of genetic diversity and speciation.

Ecological and physiological variance in T-cell mediated immune response in Cory's shearwaters

T-cell mediated immune response (CMI) hasbeen widely studied in relation to individual andfitness components in birds. However, few studieshave simultaneously examined individual and socialfactors and habitat-mediated variance in theimmunity of chicks and adults from the samepopulation and in the same breeding season. Weinvestigated ecological and physiological variancein CMI of male and female nestlings and adults in abreeding population of Cory's Shearwaters(Calonectrisdiomedea) in theMediterranean Sea. Explanatory variables includedindividual traits (body condition, carbon andnitrogen stable isotope ratios, plasma totalproteins, triglycerides, uric acid, osmolarity,β-hydroxy-butyrate, erythrocyte meancorpuscular diameter, hematocrit, andhemoglobin) and burrow traits(temperature, isolation, and physicalstructure). During incubation, immune responseof adult males was significantly greater than thatof females. Nestlings exhibited a lower immuneresponse than adults. Ecological and physiologicalfactors affecting immune response differed betweenadults and nestlings. General linear models showedthat immune response in adult males was positivelyassociated with burrow isolation, suggesting thatmales breeding at higher densities suffer immunesystem suppression. In contrast, immune response inchicks was positively associated with bodycondition and plasma triglyceride levels.Therefore, adult immune response appears to beassociated with social stress, whereas a trade-offbetween immune function and fasting capability mayexist for nestlings. Our results, and those fromprevious studies, provide support for anasymmetrical influence of ecological andphysiological factors on the health of differentage and sex groups within a population, and for theimportance of simultaneously considering individualand population characteristics in intraspecificstudies of immune response.

Ecological and physiological variance in T-cell mediated immune response in Cory's shearwaters

T-cell mediated immune response (CMI) hasbeen widely studied in relation to individual andfitness components in birds. However, few studieshave simultaneously examined individual and socialfactors and habitat-mediated variance in theimmunity of chicks and adults from the samepopulation and in the same breeding season. Weinvestigated ecological and physiological variancein CMI of male and female nestlings and adults in abreeding population of Cory's Shearwaters(Calonectrisdiomedea) in theMediterranean Sea. Explanatory variables includedindividual traits (body condition, carbon andnitrogen stable isotope ratios, plasma totalproteins, triglycerides, uric acid, osmolarity,β-hydroxy-butyrate, erythrocyte meancorpuscular diameter, hematocrit, andhemoglobin) and burrow traits(temperature, isolation, and physicalstructure). During incubation, immune responseof adult males was significantly greater than thatof females. Nestlings exhibited a lower immuneresponse than adults. Ecological and physiologicalfactors affecting immune response differed betweenadults and nestlings. General linear models showedthat immune response in adult males was positivelyassociated with burrow isolation, suggesting thatmales breeding at higher densities suffer immunesystem suppression. In contrast, immune response inchicks was positively associated with bodycondition and plasma triglyceride levels.Therefore, adult immune response appears to beassociated with social stress, whereas a trade-offbetween immune function and fasting capability mayexist for nestlings. Our results, and those fromprevious studies, provide support for anasymmetrical influence of ecological andphysiological factors on the health of differentage and sex groups within a population, and for theimportance of simultaneously considering individualand population characteristics in intraspecificstudies of immune response.

Social differences in avoidable mortality between small areas of 15 European cities: an ecological study

Health and inequalities in health among inhabitants of European cities are of major importance for European public health and there is great interest in how different health care systems in Europe perform in the reduction of health inequalities. However, evidence on the spatial distribution of cause-specific mortality across neighbourhoods of European cities is scarce. This study presents maps of avoidable mortality in European cities and analyses differences in avoidable mortality between neighbourhoods with different levels of deprivation. Methods: We determined the level of mortality from 14 avoidable causes of death for each neighbourhood of 15 large cities in different European regions. To address the problems associated with Standardised Mortality Ratios for small areas we smooth them using the Bayesian model proposed by Besag, York and Mollié. Ecological regression analysis was used to assess the association between social deprivation and mortality. Results: Mortality from avoidable causes of death is higher in deprived neighbourhoods and mortality rate ratios between areas with different levels of deprivation differ between gender and cities. In most cases rate ratios are lower among women. While Eastern and Southern European cities show higher levels of avoidable mortality, the association of mortality with social deprivation tends to be higher in Northern and lower in Southern Europe. Conclusions: There are marked differences in the level of avoidable mortality between neighbourhoods of European cities and the level of avoidable mortality is associated with social deprivation. There is no systematic difference in the magnitude of this association between European cities or regions. Spatial patterns of avoidable mortality across small city areas can point to possible local problems and specific strategies to reduce health inequality which is important for the development of urban areas and the well-being of their inhabitants

Inmigración, crisis económica y discursos radiofónicos: hacia un lenguaje excluyente

Los medios de comunicación juegan un rol fundamental en la percepción social del proceso migratorio y de las minorías étnicas. A través del análisis de un conjunto de emisiones de Catalunya Radio, RAC1 y la COPE, el estudio que presentamos pretende determinar si el discurso radiofónico se fundamenta en un lenguaje inclusivo que contribuye a la cohesión social, o bien promueve un sobredimensionamiento de los conflictos contribuyendo a extender la xenofobia. Coincidiendo con la crisis, el lenguaje excluyente se consolida y se extiende en los medios. El análisis desarrollado evidencia el uso de conceptos y estrategias discursivas que remiten, por una parte, al racismo moderno y, por otra, al lenguaje del odio, siendo frecuentes las imprecisiones, la invisibilidad u homogeneización de determinados colectivos, la contraposición nosotrosellos o enfoques basados en el conflicto que enfatizan las diferencias étnicas.

An update on EMU sovereign yield spread drivers in times of crisis: A panel data analysis

We empirically investigate the determinants of EMU sovereign bond yield spreads with respect to the German bund. Using panel data techniques, we examine the role of a wide set of potential drivers. To our knowledge, this paper presents one of the most exhaustive compilations of the variables used in the literature to study the behaviour of sovereign yield spreads and, in particular, to gauge the effect on these spreads of changes in market sentiment and risk aversion. We use a sample of both central and peripheral countries from January 1999 to December 2012 and assess whether there were significant changes after the outbreak of the euro area debt crisis. Our results suggest that the rise in sovereign risk in central countries can only be partially explained by the evolution of local macroeconomic variables in those countries.

An update on EMU sovereign yield spread drivers in times of crisis: A panel data analysis

We empirically investigate the determinants of EMU sovereign bond yield spreads with respect to the German bund. Using panel data techniques, we examine the role of a wide set of potential drivers. To our knowledge, this paper presents one of the most exhaustive compilations of the variables used in the literature to study the behaviour of sovereign yield spreads and, in particular, to gauge the effect on these spreads of changes in market sentiment and risk aversion. We use a sample of both central and peripheral countries from January 1999 to December 2012 and assess whether there were significant changes after the outbreak of the euro area debt crisis. Our results suggest that the rise in sovereign risk in central countries can only be partially explained by the evolution of local macroeconomic variables in those countries.