Ageing and Pension Reform Around the World
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Ageing and Pension Reform Around the World

Evidence from Eleven Countries

9781847200945 Edward Elgar Publishing
Edited by Giuliano Bonoli, Professor of Social Policy, Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration (IDHEAP), Switzerland and Toshimitsu Shinkawa, Professor of Political Science, Kyoto University, Japan
Publication Date: 2006 ISBN: 978 1 84720 094 5 Extent: 296 pp
This book comprehensively documents developments in pension policy in eleven advanced industrial countries in Western Europe, East Asia and North America.

In order to explore what population ageing means for the sustainability of pension systems, the authors present a detailed review of pension policy making over the past two decades and provide up-to-date analysis of current pension legislation. They examine the factors that can facilitate or impede the adaptation of pension systems and the features that shape and determine reforms. They also highlight the fact that although the path of reform taken by each country is somewhat different, the processes at work are often very similar.

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Population ageing and the resulting pressures on existing pension systems constitutes one of the most important challenges modern societies will have to face over the coming decades. Although governments have responded to such pressures by adopting a plethora of pension reforms, the adaptation process is far from over. This book comprehensively documents developments in pension policy in eleven advanced industrial countries in Western Europe, East Asia and North America.

In order to explore what population ageing means for the sustainability of pension systems, the authors present a detailed review of pension policy making over the past two decades and provide up-to-date analysis of current pension legislation. They examine the factors that can facilitate or impede the adaptation of pension systems and the features that shape and determine reforms. They also highlight the fact that although the path of reform taken by each country is somewhat different, the processes at work are often very similar. Ageing populations throughout the world are extremely reluctant to see their pension systems dismantled and are therefore prepared to mobilise in their defence. This process of mobilisation interacts with demographic pressures and institutional constraints to help determine the future direction of pension policy.

The breadth of geographic coverage provides an almost global picture of the impact of ageing on pension reform, at least in terms of high income countries. Academics and students with an interest in economics, social policy, sociology and political science will find this a worthwhile and rewarding volume. It will also be of value to policymakers interested in how the problem of unsustainable pension systems can be resolved.
Critical Acclaim
‘This is an admirable example of a multi-authored comparative book. The two editors set the scene very carefully in the opening chapter and the subsequent chapters follow the framework set out and use the concepts explored there. In this never simple policy area, national systems are explained as clearly as possible by each author.’
– Michael Hill, Journal of Social Policy

‘This is an enlightening introduction to the global dimensions and complexity of pension reform. Recommended.’
– J.F. O’Connell, Choice
Contributors
Contributors: K.M. Anderson, D. Béland, G. Bonoli, M. Ferrera, K. Hinrichs, M. Jessoula, Y.M. Kim, K.-s. Kim, C.-W. Lin, C. Mandin, J. Myles, B. Palier, T. Shinkawa, P. Taylor-Gooby, R.K. Weaver
Contents
Contents:

1. Population Ageing and the Logics of Pension Reform in Western Europe, East Asia and North America
Giuliano Bonoli and Toshimitsu Shinkawa

2. Reconfiguring Italian Pensions: From Policy Stalemate to Comprehensive Reforms
Maurizio Ferrera and Matteo Jessoula

3. New Century – New Paradigm: Pension Reforms in Germany
Karl Hinrichs

4. The Politics of Pension Reform in France: The End of Exceptionalism?
Christelle Mandin and Bruno Palier

5. Pension Reform in Sweden: Radical Reform in a Mature Pension System
Karen M. Anderson

6. UK Pension Reform: A Test Case for a Liberal Welfare State?
Peter Taylor-Gooby

7. Switzerland: Adapting Pensions within Tight Institutional Constraints
Giuliano Bonoli

8. The Politics of Pension Reform in Japan: Institutional Legacies, Credit-claiming and Blame Avoidance
Toshimitsu Shinkawa

9. Pension Reform in Taiwan: The Old and the New Politics of Welfare
Chen-Wei Lin

10. Pension Reform in Korea: Conflict between Social Solidarity and Long-term Financial Sustainability
Yeon Myung Kim and Kyo-seong Kim

11. Public Pension Reform in the United States
R. Kent Weaver

12. Stasis Amidst Change: Canadian Pension Reform in an Age of Retrenchment
Daniel Béland and John Myles

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