Are dictatorships less redistributive? A comparative analysis of social spending in Europe, 1950-1980

Sergio Espuelas ()

European Review of Economic History, 2012, vol. 16, issue 2, 211-232

Abstract: Using new data on Spain and Portugal 1950-1980, this paper shows that non-democratic governments were less generous in providing social protection and also financed their meager social policy in a less redistributive way. This contradicts recent studies that hold that dictatorships have no significant effect on social policy. The analysis also reveals that, rather than provoking a 'race to the bottom' or an increase in social spending, globalization favored the adoption of tax-funded systems instead of systems based on compulsory social security contributions. Copyright , Oxford University Press.

Date: 2012
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