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Jo Ritzen

Maastricht University, the Netherlands, and IZA, Germany

Having been a Cabinet minister I recognize the overwhelming importance of evidence in support of policies

IZA World of Labor role

Author, Topic spokesperson

Current position

Professor of International Economics of Science, Technology and Higher Education at Maastricht University, UNU-Merit/Graduate School of Governance, the Netherlands

Research interest

Education, economic growth, and income distribution

Website

http://bit.ly/Ritzen_UNUpage

Positions/functions as a policy advisor

Former Minister of Education, Culture, and Science of The Netherlands

Past positions

President of Maastricht University until 2011

Qualifications

PhD Economics, Erasmus University in Rotterdam, 1977

Selected publications

  • “How to counteract the polarisation of the labour market.” In: Priorities for a New Political Economy: Memos to the Left. London: Policy Network, 2011; pp. 121–122 (with L. Soete).

  • Euroskepticism in the Crisis: More Mood than Economy. IZA Discussion Paper No. 8001, February 2014 (with K. F. Zimmermann and C. Wehner).

  • Fading Hope in the US. IZA Discussion Paper No. 6340, February 2012 (with K. F. Zimmermann).

  • “A vibrant European labor market with full employment.” IZA Journal of European Labor Studies 3:10 (2014) (with K. F. Zimmermann).

article(s)

  • Happiness as a guide to labor market policy Updated

    Happiness is key to a productive economy, and a job remains key to individual happiness, also under robotization

    Jo Ritzen, January 2019
    Measures of individual happiness, or well-being, can guide labor market policies. Individual unemployment, as well as the rate of unemployment in society, have a negative effect on happiness. In contrast, employment protection and un-employment benefits or a basic income can contribute to happiness—though when such policies prolong unintended unemployment, the net effect on national happiness is negative. Active labor market policies that create more job opportunities increase happiness, which in turn increases productivity. Measures of individual happiness should therefore guide labor market policy more explicitly, also with substantial robotization in production.
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  • University autonomy: Improving educational output

    Universities deliver more competent graduates and higher quality research if they are more autonomous and well-funded

    Jo Ritzen, March 2016
    University autonomy and funding is an important aspect in university-level education due to its impact on graduates’ competencies, and on the quality and quantity of research produced. Political factors influence the amount of autonomy allotted to public universities in specific countries. There is sufficient evidence to suggest that an increase in autonomy for universities would provide better educational outcomes and have a direct impact on labor market productivity. However, the debate on autonomy has been overshadowed by discussions on tuition fees and student aid in political circles.
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