In this paper we review the European macroeconomic policy framework, and address the issue of setting safe deficit targets - targets that make it very unlikely that a country exceeds the 3 per cent ceiling of the Stability and Growth Pact. In this context, the scope for an increase in public...

This paper deals on the issue of whether or not studying economics has a relevant effect on molding the values and attitudes characteristic of the trust-building processes prevailing in a democratic society. Mainstream economics teaching, based on the self-interest model of rational, maximizing,...

In a global economy, global and universal ethics are a necessity. How can ethics be connected to the economy in an interdependent world? From all the different theories on ethics, which should we choose? Do utilitarianism and the maximization of utility promote the happiness of all or do they...

This paper will discuss the importance of the SAM (Social Accounting Matrix) as a consistent and flexible database for economic modelling to be used for the purpose of ensuring a better policy analysis. It will be shown how the SAM represents the circular flow of income and how it can support...

This article presents an evaluation of the economic adjustment program negotiated between the Portuguese government and the Troika (European Commission, ECB and IMF) in May 2011, with an assessment different from the usual exercises. Instead of an ex-post comparison between the actual results...

In looking for empirical evidence about the activity of countries, a proposal is made for studying (measuring and modelling) the activity of countries through the use of Social Accounting Matrices (SAMs) and Socio-Demographic Matrices (SDMs). SAMs and SDMs are presented as tools that have...

The aim of this paper is to estimate the impact on the distribution of household income and poverty of the 2010 reform of the law that establish the non-contributory social benefits entitlement conditions in Portugal, with particular incidence in the Social Integration Income (RSI). Carried out...

The Portuguese elderly poverty rate has decreased significantly in recent years as elderly incomes have increased, and inequality and material deprivation levels have converged to their national levels. This paper investigates whether this improved situation is widespread across the elderly, but...

The aim of this paper is to estimate the joint impact on the distribution of household income and poverty of the implementation of two major anti‐poverty measures in Portugal: the “Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly” (CSI) and the “Social Integration Income” (RSI). These two...

The objective of this paper is to estimate the impact of the Portuguese Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI) Programme on income distribution and to evaluate its effectiveness and efficiency in fighting situations of poverty and social exclusion. We estimate its impact on the distribution of...