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Grey New World: Europe on the Road to Gerontocracy?

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  • Arij Lans Bovenberg

Abstract

Higher life expectancy and feminization of work have changed the life course. These developments require changes in the way society organizes work and accumulates and maintains human capital over the life cycle. This paper describes various reforms aimed at preventing Europe from becoming a gerontocracy. It also discusses the political challenges associated with reforms aimed at lengthening the working life and protecting fertility. (JEL code: J1) Copyright , Oxford University Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Arij Lans Bovenberg, 2008. "Grey New World: Europe on the Road to Gerontocracy?," CESifo Economic Studies, CESifo Group, vol. 54(1), pages 55-72, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:cesifo:v:54:y:2008:i:1:p:55-72
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/cesifo/ifn005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Assar Lindbeck & Sten Nyberg & Jörgen W. Weibull, 1999. "Social Norms and Economic Incentives in the Welfare State," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 114(1), pages 1-35.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hollanders, D.A., 2010. "The Political Economy of Intergenerational Risk Sharing," Other publications TiSEM 3c50ad85-2971-481e-9aa3-a, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    2. Hollanders, D.A., 2010. "The Political Economy of Intergenerational Risk Sharing," Discussion Paper 2010-102, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    3. Giuseppe Carone & Per Eckefeldt & Luigi Giamboni & Veli Laine & Stéphanie Pamies Sumner, 2016. "Pension Reforms in the EU since the Early 2000's: Achievements and Challenges Ahead," European Economy - Discussion Papers 042, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    4. Pensieroso, Luca & Sommacal, Alessandro, 2014. "Economic development and family structure: From pater familias to the nuclear family," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 80-100.
    5. Alonso-García, Jennifer & Devolder, Pierre, 2019. "Continuous time model for notional defined contribution pension schemes: Liquidity and solvency," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 57-76.

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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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