Busines history and political economy of occupational pensions in Germany, 1948-1982

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Carsten Burhop
• Subject Area: Economic and Social History
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 430286375

This project uses eight corporate case studies and six legislative processes to examine the economic and corporate historical dimension of occupational pensions for the years 1948 to 1982. For the first time, we use a comparative case study approach for this research topic, and for the first time we examine medium-sized firms in addition to large firms. With respect to the political economy of legislative processes, we examine social and - for the first time - tax policy laws with respect to their relevance for occupational pensions. Furthermore, we use an extended veto player approach for the analysis of both legislative processes and intra-firm negotiations on occupational pensions, so that the project transfers established methods of political science to economic and business history. The extension request is made to compensate for pandemic-related project delays.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants