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Product Description
conomics of the Welfare State discusses the different parts of the welfare system,in particular, cash benefits, the health service and education. The text argues that the welfare state exists not just to help the underprivileged, but also for efficiency reasons in areas where private markets would be inefficient or would not exist at all. The book has a separate chapter on the economics of higher education and it contains increased references to developments in the EU. Also included are a number of largely forward looking topics: - extended discussion of insurance to cover disability and long-term care - challenges to the welfare state including demographic change, globalization, changes in family structure and changes in the structure of jobs - debates about the welfare state Suitable for students of both economics related disciplines, the book encourages greater accessibility for students and contains a non-technical appendix in every chapter, diagrams, additional readings, worked examples and end of chapter discussion questions. ONLINE RESOURCE CENTRE Includes PowerPoint slides, web links and further reading.
About the Author
Professor Nicholas Barr is Professor of Public Economics in the European Institute at the London School of Economics. Prior to this he has been a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Reader at the London School of Economics.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A useful primer for understanding some of the main ideological currents on issues of social welfare, but the conclusions tend towards New Labour policy prescriptions.
However, it's in the discussion of the funding of Higher Education when the wheels really come off. Any attempt at balance is suddenly deserted with the edict that There is No Alternative to tuition fees. This despite a study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies which concluded that the continued funding of HE from taxation or a graduate tax is certainly not unaffordable (whether desirable or not is obviously a value-judgement). As with the introduction of the policy itself, debate is simply not entered into, with alternatives dismissed out of hand. The idea that a system funded through income tax is `regressive' just doesn't wash: such a system was acceptable when just 5-7% went on to university, but is deemed regressive when that number rises towards 50%! Given that in absolute terms 95% of income tax is paid by the top 50% of earners (while 85%+ of those earning £100,000+ are graduates) it would seem not only the most effective, but also the most equitable solution - certainly more so than the educational poll tax of tuition fees. The closed nature of this discussion thus undermines confidence in the author's own university-based biases.
It is certainly worth reading, and deals well with the problems of privately-funded health care and provision for unemployment, disability and poverty, but is not without its own blind spots.
However, it's in the discussion of the funding of Higher Education when the wheels really come off. Any attempt at balance is suddenly deserted with the edict that There is No Alternative to tuition fees. This despite a study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies which concluded that the continued funding of HE from taxation or a graduate tax is certainly not unaffordable (whether desirable or not is obviously a value-judgement). As with the introduction of the policy itself, debate is simply not entered into, with alternatives dismissed out of hand. The idea that a system funded through income tax is `regressive' just doesn't wash: such a system was acceptable when just 5-7% went on to university, but is deemed regressive when that number rises towards 50%! Given that in absolute terms 95% of income tax is paid by the top 50% of earners (while 85%+ of those earning £100,000+ are graduates) it would seem not only the most effective, but also the most equitable solution - certainly more so than the educational poll tax of tuition fees. The closed nature of this discussion thus undermines confidence in the author's own university-based biases.
It is certainly worth reading, and deals well with the problems of privately-funded health care and provision for unemployment, disability and poverty, but is not without its own blind spots.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Nicholas Barr has written an excellent text, which focuses of the economic and financial structures of social welfare systems. A quite brilliant analysis, one which does not dabble in political comment (which is the norm with similar other books). A must for the economics student, and a challenging read for anyone interested in how our welfare system works - or how it should work!
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book intend to be an introduction to economics of welfare state, but at the same time, offering a great deal of references to expand your understanding in particular topics. From my point of view, these two objectives somewhat clash in this book.
The author has obviously erred in the side of inclusion, and the topics are not covered with properly.
The author has obviously erred in the side of inclusion, and the topics are not covered with properly.
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