First published in 1948, the International Social Security Review is the principal international quarterly publication in the field of social security.
Introduction: Social security, social cohesion and inclusive growth
Authors:
Roddy McKinnon
Issue:
Volume 73 (2020), Issue 3 (Special issue)
This special issue selectively addresses the relationship linking social security systems, inclusive growth and social cohesion. Inclusive growth and social cohesion are viewed as political expedient and necessary goals for national economies. The desirability of their attainment reflects political pragmatism, the “social contract”, as much as it does a commitment to the wider emancipative goal of social justice. The International Social Security Association (ISSA) has often paraphrased these assertions to argue that there can be “no social justice without social security”. Of course, progress achieved towards the realization of the goals of inclusive growth and social cohesion should be equally beneficial for the adequacy, sustainability and coverage of social security systems. The aim of this special issue is to unpack and better understand the nature of this relationship.
Topics:
Social policies & programmes
Keywords:
social security schemes
social development
economic development
social cohesion
economic growth
social contract
Regions:
International
Social protection and revenue collection: How they can jointly contribute to strengthening social cohesion
Authors:
Francesco Burchi
Armin von Schiller
Christoph Strupat
Issue:
Volume 73 (2020), Issue 3 (Special issue)
Social protection and revenue collection are often regarded as potential drivers of social cohesion. The article joins this debate, providing three main contributions. First, we carefully discuss the concept of social cohesion and endorse one specific definition. Second, we propose using the concept of the “fiscal contract” as the key theoretical lens to understand the often neglected potential joint effects of social protection and revenue collection policies on social cohesion. Third, we illustrate three main mechanisms through which these policies can have positive or negative impacts on the different components of social cohesion and highlight how relevant it is for policy-makers to carefully think about these.
Topics:
Contribution collection and compliance
Social policies & programmes
Keywords:
social cohesion
social protection
collection of contributions
fiscal policy
public finance
taxation
Regions:
International
China’s social security response to COVID-19: Wider lessons learnt for social security’s contribution to social cohesion and inclusive economic development
Authors:
Xiaoyan Qian
Issue:
Volume 73 (2020), Issue 3 (Special issue)
China has adopted an array of special social security measures in response to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, to mitigate the downside social and economic impacts caused by the pandemic. Measures include the reduction, exemption and deferral of social security contributions by employers, the extension of benefits coverage for employees, and the provision of more accessible e-services by social insurance agencies. The article points out that a preliminary assessment of those measures would suggest that they have played a key role in supporting social cohesion and in stabilising the economy. In a critical manner, the article compares the measures adopted in China with those of other countries, and identifies how China could learn from international practice and experience. Finally, and based on recent Chinese experience, the article presents proposals that seek to improve the longer-term contribution made by the Chinese social security system to realise the goals of social cohesion and inclusive economic development. As set out in China’s Social Insurance Law of 2010, the social security system should not only support a fair sharing of benefits of development, but also promote social harmony and stability.
Topics:
Social policies & programmes
Shocks & extreme events
Keywords:
social security administration
social development
economic development
social cohesion
prevention
Countries:
China
Social assistance and inclusive growth
Authors:
Armando Barrientos
Daniele Malerba
Issue:
Volume 73 (2020), Issue 3 (Special issue)
The expansion of social assistance in low- and middle-income countries raises important issues for inclusive growth. Labour is by far the principal asset of low-income groups. Changes in the quantity, quality, and allocation of labour associated with social assistance will impact on the productive capacity of low-income groups and therefore on inclusive growth. The article re-assesses the findings reported by impact evaluations of social assistance in low- and middle-income countries to address this issue. Most studies have tested for potentially adverse labour supply incentive effects from transfers but have failed to find supportive evidence. The article highlights findings from this literature on the effects of social assistance on human capital accumulation and labour reallocation. They point to the conclusion that well-designed and well-implemented social assistance contributes to inclusive growth.
Topics:
Social assistance
Social policies & programmes
Keywords:
social assistance
poverty
standard of living
social development
economic development
Regions:
International
Health care as a social security benefit: Institutional approaches to extending coverage
Authors:
Aviva Ron
Issue:
Volume 63 (2010), Issue 1
Reaching universal health‐care coverage requires an appropriate mix of compulsory contributory social insurance schemes, with mechanisms to include the informal‐economy population, and tax‐based social assistance for those whose incomes preclude their own contributions. This article urges a reversal of the trend that favours the separate development of social health insurance by separate health authorities and makes the case for the extension of health‐care coverage using existing formal‐sector social security schemes, not least because they have the necessary political backing and institutional structures. The article reviews reasons for the slow pace of coverage extension to date, and stresses the added value of incorporating health care as a social security benefit while also acknowledging the importance of retaining linkages between statutory and well‐regulated community‐based or micro health‐insurance schemes.
Topics:
Health
Extension of coverage
Keywords:
supply of health care
gaps in coverage
social security administration
Social security coverage extension: A review of recent evidence
Authors:
Wouter van Ginneken
Issue:
Volume 63 (2010), Issue 1
This article reports the findings of 13 studies undertaken as part of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) project on “Examining the existing knowledge on coverage extension”. It reviews recent evidence that highlights how cash benefits and health‐care coverage, financed on the basis of contributions or tax revenue or both, can be extended and maintained in low‐, middle‐ and high‐income countries. The article also highlights a number of priority areas and issues for coverage extension, including realizing improved protection for informal‐economy and migrant workers.
Topics:
Extension of coverage
Keywords:
social security scheme
health insurance
gaps in coverage
social security financing
social security administration
Regions:
International
The ratification of ILO Conventions and the provision of unemployment benefits: An empirical analysis
Authors:
Wonik Kim
Issue:
Volume 63 (2010), Issue 1
This article tests the relationship between the ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions and the provision of unemployment benefits. Statistical tests focus on two related issues: why countries ratify ILO Conventions on unemployment benefits, and whether ratification influences government spending on unemployment benefits. The main findings are that democracy, region, income, and globalization are the main factors influencing why countries ratify ILO Conventions on unemployment benefits. In turn, the ratification of ILO Conventions is systematically associated with higher spending if countries have ratified more than two Conventions.
Topics:
Employment
Social policies & programmes
Keywords:
unemployment benefit
ILO Convention
welfare state
statistical analysis
Regions:
International
The public pension system in Taiwan: Equity issues within and between systems
Authors:
Ai Ju Shao
Issue:
Volume 63 (2010), Issue 1
This article analyses the challenges facing the New Public Service Pension Fund System in Taiwan, China. After less than two decades of operation, this young system is facing financial imbalance and is embroiled in controversy regarding the generosity of its benefits provisions. The article first introduces Taiwan's different systems for old‐age security, with a focus on that for general public‐sector employees. It then addresses the financial challenges facing the general public‐sector pension system, including the rising cost of its benefits for all taxpayers. Finally, a number of possible reform directions are suggested, including lowering benefit levels, making qualifying criteria more stringent, or establishing a new system. With regards to the latter, any proposed new system must seek to satisfy the goal of longer‐term financial soundness while realizing optimal fairness among all stakeholders including taxpayers.
Topics:
Old-age pensions
Actuarial
Investment
Keywords:
pension scheme
public expenditure
actuarial valuation
earnings replacement rate
Countries:
Taiwan, China
The redistributive effect of public and private social programmes: A cross‐country empirical analysis
Authors:
Kees Goudswaard
Koen Caminada
Issue:
Volume 63 (2010), Issue 1
A function of many national social protection systems is to substantially redistribute income. However, the size and nature of social protection programmes are changing. In a number of countries there has been a shift from public towards private social protection arrangements, with the latter substituting for, or complementing, public programmes. Developing earlier work, this present article analyses the redistributive impact on income of public versus private social protection programmes. Using recent data from the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development, we find a strong positive relationship between public social expenditures and income redistribution across countries. For private social expenditures, we find a weak, but statistically significant, negative relationship with the level of redistribution. In countries where a larger share of total social expenditure is accorded to private arrangements there is less income redistribution. We conclude that the choice between the relative weight of public and private provision of social protection affects the redistributive impact of the welfare state.
Topics:
Social policies & programmes
Keywords:
social protection
welfare state
public private mix
income redistribution
Reinvigorating the social contract and strengthening social cohesion: Social protection responses to COVID-19
Authors:
Shahra Razavi
Christina Behrendt
Mira Bierbaum
Ian Orton
Lou Tessier
Issue:
Volume 73 (2020), Issue 3 (Special issue)
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of those who are inadequately covered by social protection in more and less developed countries alike, and has exacerbated the fragility of a social contract that was already under strain in many countries. A weak social contract in the context of an exceptional crisis poses a very real risk to social cohesion. Nevertheless, many States have reasserted themselves as the guarantor of rights by protecting public health and incomes. By sustaining these measures, economic recovery will be supported which will help minimize risks that may weaken social cohesion. However, this is a fast-moving, inherently unstable and protracted crisis. Social protection stands at a critical juncture. Decisive policy action will be required to strengthen social protection systems, including floors, as one of the cornerstones of a reinvigorated social contract.