14-06-2021: Five years analysis of the welfare state
Author: E.A. Bakkum
The industrialization creates so much wealth, that it leads to the welfare state, The welfare state has a large diversity of forms. The present column describes several models, which try to order the diversity. After a general introduction about group behaviour and the policy mix there is a presentation of: the inclusion model, the paradigm of the radical centre, the trust model, and the three-worlds model. Finally, reports of the CPB and the WRR are discussed .... Read more
20-05-2021: Economic reforms in the Netherlands
Author: E.A. Bakkum
During the cabinets Lubbers and Kok the Dutch economy has recovered miraculously. The present column studies the executed policies of these cabinets, by means of the book A Dutch miracle. It turns out, that corporatism or pluralism was preferred, depending on the policy field. The criticism of the policies is also analyzed. Balkenende and Fortuyn want to replace the corporatism by pluralism, possibly on an organic basis .... Read more
29-04-2021: The recovery of the Dutch economy
Author: E.A. Bakkum
After a deep recession during the early eighties of the last century, the Dutch economy has developed quite well, also in comparison with the European neighbouring states. This is caused by a package of radical social reforms. The present column illustrates this development with the help of economic indicators, such as the economic growth, labour participation, the costs of insurance for the disabled, the participation of older men, the labour productivity, and the investment quote .... Read more
22-04-2021: Models of privatization
Author: E.A. Bakkum
A previous column has analyzed how public goods can be supplied by private enterprises. There the market regulation was also discussed. The present column uses several of these insights in a model. The first model addresses the political phases of privatizations. The second model shows, how a private enterprise can be controled by means of subsidies. The third model discusses the regulation of a natural monopoly by means of its price structure .... Read more
15-04-2021: Privatizations
Author: E.A. Bakkum
In several previous columns attention has been paid to the positive incentives, which derive from private property. Therefore it is logical to now study the effects of privatizations in the public sector. The new institutional economics offers useful insights, which are summarized here. Also, ways of market regulation are presented. Several experiences with free markets are described. Finally, the radical criticism of E. Tonkens and the PvdA commision Van Thijn are discussed .... Read more