This major volume discusses the role of labour market institutions and the nature of their interaction with other economic and social regulations. The European case is discussed in depth with a focus on issues such as the extent to which US labour market institutions can be adapted to European societies, and the problem of the long term unemployed. Two chapters are explicitly devoted to Spain which constitutes a paramount example of the job creation failure in Europe. An introductory chapter summarizes the main conclusions of the book. Among other results, the authors highlight the importance of systemic and carefully balanced labour market reforms.