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Aggregate Scale Economies, Market Integration and Optimal Welfare State Policy

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Author Info
Hassan Molana (University of Dundee)
Catia Montagna (University of Dundee & GEP University of Nottingham)

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Abstract

Using a two-sector-two-country model with aggregate scale economies and unionisation, we show that optimal welfare state policy entails positive levels of unemployment benefits under free-trade and capital mobility. In this setting, economic integration does not reduce the revenue raising capacity of governments and thus does not lead to a race-to-the- bottom in social standards. Instead, trade and capital flows interact with welfare state policies in increasing welfare even when each government acts independently (non-cooperatively) in determining its optimal welfare payment. Cooperation is shown to improve upon noncooperative outcomes by raising both the generosity of the welfare state and aggregate welfare.

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Paper provided by EconWPA in its series International Trade with number 0509006.

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Length: 25 pages
Date of creation: 13 Sep 2005
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Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpit:0509006

Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 25
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Keywords: circular causation; international trade; capital mobility; optimal policy; welfare state;

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
F1 - International Economics - - Trade
F2 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business

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Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
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  3. Alesina, Alberto & Perotti, Roberto, 1997. "The Welfare State and Competitiveness," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 87(5), pages 921-39, December. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  4. Blanchard, Olivier Jean & Kiyotaki, Nobuhiro, 1987. "Monopolistic Competition and the Effects of Aggregate Demand," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 77(4), pages 647-66, September. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  11. Bretschger, Lucas & Hettich, Frank, 2002. "Globalisation, capital mobility and tax competition: theory and evidence for OECD countries," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 18(4), pages 695-716, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  14. Hart, Oliver, 1982. "A Model of Imperfect Competition with Keynesian Features," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, MIT Press, vol. 97(1), pages 109-38, February. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Hassan Molana & Catia Montagna, 2007. "Welfare State, Market Imperfections, and International Trade," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 95-118, February. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  2. Holger Görg & Hassan Molana & Catia Montagna, 2007. "Foreign Direct Investment, Tax Competition and Social Expenditure," Discussion Papers 198, University of Dundee, Economic Studies. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  3. Hassan Molana & Catia Montagna, 2005. " Expansionary Effects of the Welfare State in a Small Open Economy," CDMA Conference Paper Series 0505, Centre for Dynamic Macroeconomic Analysis. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  4. Torben M. Andersen & Allan Sørensen, 2008. "Globalisation squeezes the public sector - is it so obvious?," Economics Working Papers 2008-08, School of Economics and Management, University of Aarhus. [Downloadable!]
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