East Asian countries have basically no welfare state. Enterprises and family ties have traditionally substituted public spending on welfare. Under the challenges of the current economic, demographic and political trends, public spending on welfare are increasing and/or expected to increase. This paper analyzes the role of the democratization process in the development of the welfare state in East Asian countries. We argue that, although initially not essential, as suggested by the experience of China, which is introducing major reforms in welfare areas without entering a democratization process, democracy may play an important role in the final economic development of these countries.
Democracy and welfare without the welfare state
Cacciatore, Matteo;Profeta, Paola;Scabrosetti, Simona
2006
Abstract
East Asian countries have basically no welfare state. Enterprises and family ties have traditionally substituted public spending on welfare. Under the challenges of the current economic, demographic and political trends, public spending on welfare are increasing and/or expected to increase. This paper analyzes the role of the democratization process in the development of the welfare state in East Asian countries. We argue that, although initially not essential, as suggested by the experience of China, which is introducing major reforms in welfare areas without entering a democratization process, democracy may play an important role in the final economic development of these countries.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.