Pension Reform In Europe: Politics, Policies And Outcomes

Description:
This new book provides a cross-country comparative analysis of the key issues shaping the latest pension reforms in Europe: political games, welfare models and pathways, population reactions, and observed and expected outcomes. Pension reform has been a top policy priority for European governments in the last decade. Ageing populations, changing labour market patterns and the process of European integration are the 'irresistible forces' pushing for reform throughout the region. The Political Economy of Pension Reform evaluates the political forces that make pension reform viable in different national and institutional contexts and the nature of political bargains, actors and cleavages surrounding policy change. The volume also examines the nature and outcomes of pension reform experiences in Europe, searching for a solution to the financial challenge posed by growing pension budgets. By addressing the nature of change, the pathways of reform, and the outcomes of the new pension mix in the region, the authors conclude with an analysis of people's perceptions and attitudes towards pension policy and their acceptance or otherwise of different reform options. This book will be of interest to students and scholars of international political economy, European politics, and social policy.

Review:
'...a very welcome addition to the literature and provides students and researchers of pension system change in Europe and beyond with much to debate and discuss.' Paul Bridges, University of Southampton, UK

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction: The Political Economy pf Pension Reform Camila Arza and Martin Kohli Part I. The Politics of Pension Reform 2. The 'New Politics' of Pension Reforms in Continental Europe David Natali and Martin Rhodes 3. Between Conflict and Consensus: The Reform of Bismarckian Pension Regimes Martin Schludi 4. How do Politicians get Away with Path-Breaking Pension Reforms? The Political Psychology of Pension Reform In Democracies Einar Overbye 5. The Politics and Outcomes of Three-Pillar Pension Reforms in Central and Eastern Europe Katharina Muller Part II. Reform Options and Outcomes 6. Changing European Welfare: a New Distribution Pattern of Pension Policy? Camila Arza 7. The Interdependence of The System of Solidarity and the System of Equivalence Martin Rein and Karen Anderson 8. The Anglo-American Pension Regime: Failures of The Divided Welfare State Robin Blackburn 9. The Gender Pension Gap: Effects of Norms and Reform Policies Patricia Frericks and Robert Maier 10. Generational Equity: Concepts and Attitudes Martin Kohli

Author Biography:
Camila Arza is Visiting Professor at Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain. Martin Kohli is Professor of Sociology at the European University Institute, Italy.