Why did some economies experience a boom in the 1990s? Discussing this crucial question, Employment 'Miracles' comparatively analyzes select "miracle" economies. The contributors critically analyze how the small sizes and institutional structures of seven countries--including the Netherlands, Denmark, and Ireland--accounted for their success and their status as economic models. Comparisons to the American and German markets reveal how differing policies--liberal versus corporatist/social democratic--determine job growth and levels of income inequality and poverty. The book also stresses the relevance of fortuitous circumstances such as the housing-price bubble. Employment 'Miracles' is an important resource for political scientists and economists in their study of national economies.