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Social Protection and Private Insurance: Reassessing the Role of Public Sector Versus Private Sector in Insurance

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  • Pierre Pestieau

    ([1] University of Liège, Boulevard du Rectorat, 7 (B-4000), Sart Tilman/Liège, Belgium [2] Unitersity of Paris Xand CORE)

Abstract

This paper first discusses the standard reasons why private insurance cannot be expected to function well and why public intervention in or public provision of insurance can improve on private market outcomes. These arguments are based on efficiency but also on equity considerations. Then the paper turns to new developments in modern societies that might affect the balance between social and private insurance. They pertain to the current working of labor markets, to the openness of our economies and the ensuing fiscal competition, and to the crediblity and commitment problems faced by the state. The paper concludes that the public sector will find it less and less affordable to provide both insurance and assistance and recommends that it focus on the latter objective by awarding tax-financed uniform benefits on the basis of specified contingencies. The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance Theory (1994) 19, 81–92. doi:10.1007/BF01371684

Suggested Citation

  • Pierre Pestieau, 1994. "Social Protection and Private Insurance: Reassessing the Role of Public Sector Versus Private Sector in Insurance," The Geneva Risk and Insurance Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics (The Geneva Association), vol. 19(2), pages 81-92, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:genrir:v:19:y:1994:i:2:p:81-92
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Didier Blanchet, 1996. "La référence assurantielle en matière de protection sociale : apports et limites," Économie et Statistique, Programme National Persée, vol. 291(1), pages 33-45.
    2. Belan, Pascal & Pestieau, Pierre, 1999. "Privatisation des systèmes de retraite : une évaluation critique," L'Actualité Economique, Société Canadienne de Science Economique, vol. 75(1), pages 9-27, mars-juin.
    3. Stéphane Jacobzone, 1997. "Systèmes mixtes d'assurance maladie, équité, gestion du risque et maîtrise des coûts," Économie et Prévision, Programme National Persée, vol. 129(3), pages 189-205.
    4. Florence Legros, 1996. "Neutralité actuarielle et propriétés redistributives des systèmes de retraite," Économie et Statistique, Programme National Persée, vol. 291(1), pages 173-183.
    5. Olivia S. Mitchell, "undated". "Developments in Pensions," Pension Research Council Working Papers 98-4, Wharton School Pension Research Council, University of Pennsylvania.

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