The Political Economy of the Welfare State: The Political Economy of Pension Reform

Political institutions and political actors such as political parties and various interest groups are often blamed for reform blockage ( Reformstau ). This project undertakes a systematic investigation of pension reform efforts in the nations of the European Union and Switzerland during the 1980s and 1990s. The results will show how much governments have changed their pension systems during this period of time; and which political factors are responsible for failed and successful pension reforms.