This research traces the sources of differences in national economic stimulus
programs designed and set up in response to the economic crisis 2008/09. Based
on a comparative case study of the stimulus programs of Germany and France, I
argue that differences in the national configuration of the economies and not
solely economic preconditions explain the diverging outcomes. Using Vivien
Schmidt’s “Varieties of Capitalism”-framework from 2002, I show that
corporatist traditions still have a significant impact on policy outcomes in
Germany whereas in France various interest groups have to cope with differing
conditions for influence exertion. In fact, the balance between social- and
business-supporting measures of the German stimulus program is a prime example
of the German state as an “enabling facilitator”. The French stimulus program,
that is significantly smaller in contrast to its German counterpart, exhibits
a strong support of the industry reflecting the weak position of trade-unions
vis-à-vis businesses and the state. Overall, the paper provides a
comprehensive approach to comparativist policy-research by taking into account
economic, institutional and political factors. It shall serve as the starting
point for further research in the field of governmental interventions during
the crises of the recent years
