According to some economists, the relatively high unemployment in some euro area countries stems from efforts by those countries to ▼ micromanage their economies overly protect workers punish political opponents . for those holding this view, these efforts promote high unemployment by a. deterring firms from hiring workers. b. creating rigidities in the labor market that block its efficient operation. c. discouraging the unemployed from taking jobs quickly. d. all of the above. e. a and b only. other economists contend that the problem is not the degree of protection afforded workers but rather the manner in which the protection is ▼ sold funded implemented .