Suchergebnisse

Abstract There are two clearly differentiated parts to this work. The first consists of a review of the theoretical arguments that underlie the so–called 'resources of power hypothesis'. That theory has been used to explain the growth and development of the Welfare State in several European countries. The findings of a number of empirical works backing up that theory have also been included in this review. The intention of the second part is to check the theory against the Spanish case between 1975 and 1995. The conclusion of this work is that if, besides considering the ideological persuasion of the party controlling the government, we take into account the other relevant factors encompassed by the theory, then the 'resources of power hypothesis' is valid in explaining and interpreting the make–up and scope of the Spanish Welfare State.

The purpose of the article is to make an economic policy proposal on two pillars to face the new (and old) socioeconomic challenges (globalization, progress and technological change, demographic changes, inequality and growing social polarization and climate change, among others). The article focuses on an economic policy proposal with two pillars: a) the strengthening of the welfare state and b) the application of a permanent income policy that in the medium and long term allows wage increases in line with productivity growth and, consequently, improve the primary distribution of income in our country.