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Constitutional Commitment to Social Security and Welfare Policy

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  • Ben-Bassat Avi

    (Department of Economics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Hamaslool Ha’akademi Shel Hamichlala Leminhal, Isreal)

  • Dahan Momi

    (School of Public Policy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Israel Democracy Institute, Jerusalem, Israel)

Abstract

In this paper we construct an index of constitutional commitment to social security (CCSS) in seven areas: Old Age, Survivors, Disability, Unemployment, Sickness, Work Injury, and Income Support. We have found a positive connection between our measure of constitutional commitment to social security and the extent and coverage of actual measures of social security laws. The constitutional text of each nation seems to play a role in explaining the large variations in welfare state coverage around the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Ben-Bassat Avi & Dahan Momi, 2016. "Constitutional Commitment to Social Security and Welfare Policy," Review of Law & Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 12(1), pages 165-201, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:rlecon:v:12:y:2016:i:1:p:165-201:n:3
    DOI: 10.1515/rle-2014-0005
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    Cited by:

    1. Katarzyna Metelska‐Szaniawska, 2021. "Post‐socialist constitutions: The de jure–de facto gap, its effects and determinantsa," Economics of Transition and Institutional Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(2), pages 175-196, April.
    2. Katarzyna Metelska-Szaniawska & Anna Lewczuk, 2022. "Constitutional overperformance: an empirical study of de facto protection of rights with no de jure equivalents," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 53(2), pages 289-317, April.
    3. Cammeraat Emile, 2021. "The Effect of Constitutional Commitment to Social Security on Social Expenditure Schemes," Review of Law & Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 17(1), pages 193-222, March.

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