Clichés notwithstanding, the demise of the welfare state has been greatly exaggerated. Despite diverse interests, groups of capital and labor in rich countries, and other social actors have cohered in proclaiming that forces of globalization have undermined the viability of government social programs. The rub is that the actual effect of increased trade on social spending is not clear-cut. In fact, if the historical record is any indication, deeper trade integration and enhanced social policy have gone hand-in-hand.
Essayby , 1 December 2014
