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Aggregate Scale Economies, Market Integration and Optimal Welfare State Policy

Author

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  • Hassan Molana

    (University of Dundee)

  • Catia Montagna

    (University of Dundee & GEP University of Nottingham)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Hassan Molana & Catia Montagna, 2005. "Aggregate Scale Economies, Market Integration and Optimal Welfare State Policy," International Trade 0509006, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpit:0509006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hassan Molana & Catia Montagna & Chang Yee Kwan, 2012. "Subsidies As Optimal Fiscal Stimuli," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 64(Supplemen), pages 149-167, December.
    2. Chen, Yu-Fu & Görg, Holger & Görlich, Dennis & Molana, Hassan & Montagna, Catia & Temouri, Yama, 2014. "Globalisation and the Future of the Welfare State," IZA Policy Papers 81, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Molana, Hassan & Montagna, Catia, 2007. "Expansionary effects of the welfare state in a small open economy," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 18(3), pages 231-246, December.
    4. Torben Andersen & Allan Sørensen, 2011. "Globalisation squeezes the public sector—is it so obvious?," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 18(4), pages 369-382, August.
    5. Görg, Holger & Molana, Hassan & Montagna, Catia, 2009. "Foreign direct investment, tax competition and social expenditure," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 31-37, January.
    6. Eckhard Janeba, 2009. "Exports, unemployment, and the welfare state," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 42(3), pages 930-955, August.
    7. Susanna Thede, 2018. "A model of trade, task offshoring and social insurance," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 787-802, October.
    8. Hassan Molana & Catia Montagna, 2007. "Welfare State, Market Imperfections, and International Trade," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 95-118, February.
    9. Andersen, Torben M. & Sørensen, Allan, 2023. "The interdependencies between the private and public sectors in open economies," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    10. Friedl, Andreas & Görlich, Dennis & Horn, Sebastian & Krieger-Boden, Christiane & Lücke, Matthias, 2015. "How to deal with inequality: Welfare system challenges and European responses," Kiel Policy Brief 85, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    11. Torben M. Andersen & Allan Sørensen, 2012. "Globalization, Tax Distortions, and Public‐Sector Retrenchment," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 114(2), pages 409-439, June.
    12. Yu-Fu Chen & Hassan Molana & Catia Montagna & Holger Görg & Dennis Görlich & Yama Temouri, 2014. "Globalisation and the Future of the Welfare State. WWWforEurope Working Paper No. 54," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 47156, Juni.
    13. Catia Montagna & Antonella Nocco, 2015. "(De)Unionization, Trade Liberalization and Selection," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 66(1), pages 91-122, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    circular causation; international trade; capital mobility; optimal policy; welfare state;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • F2 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business

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