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Does aging affect preferences for welfare spending? A study of peoples' spending preferences in 22 countries, 1985–2006

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  • Sørensen, Rune J.

Abstract

A recurrent assertion is that aging will intensify age-related conflict over public budget allocation. If people are led by their self-interest, the young will prioritize public education services, while the elderly will demand better pensions and health-care services. Addressing this issue requires longitudinal survey data and estimation of age (life-cycle), period and cohort effects. Except for a few of studies based on US data, such analyses are non-existent.

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  • Sørensen, Rune J., 2013. "Does aging affect preferences for welfare spending? A study of peoples' spending preferences in 22 countries, 1985–2006," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 259-271.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:poleco:v:29:y:2013:i:c:p:259-271
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2012.09.004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Public spending attitudes; Life-cycle effect; Age structure;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions

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