"Argues that incoherent social programs significantly contribute to poverty and little growth. Proposes converting the existing social security system into universal social entitlements. Advocates eliminating wage-based social security contributions and raising consumption taxes on higher-income...

In the Netherlands the self-employed are insured against a number of social risks through social security provisions and residence-based social insurances. The selfemployed are, for example, insured against the risk of old age: like every other Dutch resident, they receive a pension under the...

Eastern Enlargement of the European Union challenged the design of European Welfare states. Many authors discuss the impact of East European social security systems on their West European counterparts and fear a “race to the bottom”. This paper addresses welfare state developments in the...