The paper analyses the interaction between economic incentives and work norms in the context of social insurance. If the work norm is endogenous in the sense that it is weaker when the population share of beneficiaries is higher, then voters will choose less generous benefits than otherwise. We...

It has turned out to be difficult to adjust welfare-state arrangements to new circumstances. This paper emphasizes developments in the labor market and changes in the structure and preferences of the family. The former include changes in demography, productivity growth and international linkages...

This paper deals with economic incentives and welfare-state arrangements in OECD countries. It discusses both positive and negative incentives for economic efficiency and economic growth. After an analysis of static considerations, the paper concentrates on what may be called "dynamic" incentive...