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Great Recession, great regression? The welfare state in the twenty-first century

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  • Celia Lessa Kerstenetzky
  • Graciele Pereira Guedes

Abstract

Has the welfare state undergone significant retrenchment in the aftermath of the 2007–08 crackdown? In the literature, two contrasting views can be found. Some commentators argue that expansions that would otherwise be observed during crises have been suffocated due to the imperative of austerity. Other more optimistic assessments see social investment policies as having been experimented with in various places, alongside widespread retrenchment. In this paper, using an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) database for 35 countries, we check these assessments by examining aggregate figures, such as the evolution—over the 2007–13 period—of social spending and its composition, the participation of social spending in public expenditure, the tax burden and tax composition and welfare state effectiveness. We document expansion in the OECD area alongside stable performance. However, important challenges persist.

Suggested Citation

  • Celia Lessa Kerstenetzky & Graciele Pereira Guedes, 2021. "Great Recession, great regression? The welfare state in the twenty-first century," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 45(1), pages 151-194.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:cambje:v:45:y:2021:i:1:p:151-194.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/cje/beaa033
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    Cited by:

    1. Lessa Kerstenetzky, Celia, 2024. "The Brazilian Economy: A Challenge of Prospering and Sharing," Economia Internazionale / International Economics, Camera di Commercio Industria Artigianato Agricoltura di Genova, vol. 77(1), pages 91-116.

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