Social protection versus economic flexibility : is there a trade-off? / edited by Rebecca M. Blank.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Blank, Rebecca M.

Series:

NBER Comparative labor markets series.

NBER Comparative labor markets series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social security--Congresses.

Social security.

Labor market--Congresses.

Labor market.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (387 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1994.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

As the Clinton administration considers major overhauls in health insurance, welfare, and labor market regulation, it is important for economists and policymakers to understand the impact of social and welfare programs on employment rates. This volume explores how programs such as social security, income transfers, and child care in Western Europe, the United States, and Japan have affected labor market flexibility-the ability of workers to adjust to fast-growing segments of the economy. Does tying health insurance to employment limit job mobility? Do housing policies inhibit workers from moving to new jobs in different areas? What are the effects of daycare and maternity leave policies on working mothers? The authors explore these and many other questions in an effort to understand why European unemployment rates are so high compared with the U.S. rate. Through an examination of diverse data sets across different countries, the authors find that social protection programs do not strongly affect labor market flexibility. A valuable comparison of labor markets and welfare programs, this book demonstrates how social protection policies have affected employment rates around the globe.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Preface

Introduction

1. Evaluating the Connection between Social Protection and Economic Flexibility

2. Trends in Social Protection Programs and Expenditures in the 1980's

3. Does Employment Protection Inhibit Labor Market Flexibility? Lessons from Germany, France, and Belgium

4. Patterns in Regional Labor Market Adjustment: The United States versus Japan

5. Housing Market Regulations and Housing Market Performance in the United States, Germany, and Japan

6. Health Insurance Provision and Labor Market Efficiency in the United States and Germany

7. Social Security and Older Workers' Labor Market Responsiveness: The United States, Japan, and Sweden

8. Public Sector Growth and Labor Market Flexibility: The United States versus the United Kingdom

9. Does Public Health Insurance Reduce Labor Market Flexibility or Encourage the Underground Economy? Evidence from Spain and the United States

10. Social Welfare Programs for Women and Children: The United States versus France

11. Three Regimes of Child Care: The United States, the Netherlands, and Sweden

Contributors

Author Index

Subject Index

Notes:

"These papers were first presented at a conference held at the Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) at the London School of Economics"--Pref.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

9786612069574

9781282069572

1282069578

9780226056807

0226056805

OCLC:

808802798