Welfare Research Articles

The Significance of Federal Social Transfers in the US: Evolution of Approaches

The paper focuses on federal transfers, their dynamics, structure and their role for the American households amid financial-economic and geopolitical challenges. It contributes to a debate on different aspects of social transfers – based both on the principles of insurance and welfare. Particularly important for the aged low-income groups, the Social Security Program faces financing problems in the coming years due to payments exceeding payroll taxes. The paper also points out the transformation of approaches to welfare programs for lowincome Americans during the first three years of Trump’s presidency, aimed at expanding individual possibilities to reduce their dependence on government safety-net programs and achieve self-sufficiency. After more than two years of extraordinary budget spending to provide relief to Americans during the pandemic and its consequences, the budget proposals from the Biden administration seem impressive, reflecting a wide range of needs for continuing financing of social programs for needy families, medical assistance, education, etc., with special attention to the economic situation. Although Biden’s proposed budget is expected to reduce the deficit, it still faces fiscal challenges; according to Congressional Budget Office projections, both the budget deficit and the public debt remain huge.

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE - ITS FUNCTIONS AND IMPORTANCE IN THE LIVES OF SENIORS

This article aims to analyse the empirical data presented in the “Świat na miarę seniora” study and the functioning and meaning of social welfare for people of senior age. The empirical findings are juxtaposed both with the current functioning of the social welfare system and the social challenges, particularly related to demographic changes. The article's main conclusion is that social welfare holds marginal importance for today’s generation of senior citizens, as they do not align with the dominant formula of protective activity of the social welfare system.

Remittances as a driver of economic growth: the moderating impact of financial development in developing economies

PurposeThe aim of this research is to examine the moderating impact of financial development (FD) on the relationship between remittance inflows and economic growth in 82 developing countries.Design/methodology/approachThis research utilized dynamic panel data estimation, specifically the system generalized method of moment (GMM), on a panel data set comprised of 82 developing economies from 2000 to 2022.FindingsThe findings indicate that the interaction of remittances and FD proxies by size and depth creates a substitute effect to reduce economic growth. In contrast, the interaction of remittances and FD proxy by efficiency creates complementarity by attracting remittances that accelerate economic growth. The robustness of the findings is further checked across upper- and lower-middle-income countries, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsThis study assists policymakers in attracting remittance inflows through FD and spending them in sustainable, productive ways to boost economic growth in developing economies.Social implicationsThe policymakers should have interactive remittances–FD policies to improve not only economic growth but also the social welfare of the developing economies.Originality/valueThis work contributes significantly to the underexplored literature on the moderating impact of FD on the relationship between remittance inflows and economic growth in the developing countries context. This research utilizes maximum proxies of FD that not only examine the remittance but also investigate how FD various proxies shape the relationship between remittances and economic growth.

Charles Dickens: the Legacy of “a Rock Star” in Lowell, Massachusetts (1842). Navigating the Victorian Writer’s Concern for Social Welfare

The article will introduce the first American tour, with a focus on the visit to Lowell, Massachusetts, of the famous Victorian writer Charles Dickens (1812-1870). When he arrived in Boston in January 1842 with his wife, he was welcomed like “a rock star”. He then embarked on a tour of the American prisons, hospitals, mental institutions and in February he reached the industrial town of Lowell, where he was mostly interested in the recently opened textile mills, the “mill girls” and immigration. Upon his return from the US, Dickens published American Notes, portraying America in both negative and positive notes. All in all, it appears that America had a significant role in Dickens’s career as it made him use his growing influence as a public figure. The UMass Lowell organized in 2012 a Dickens in Lowell celebration of the tour, continued by an extended Dickens in Lowell Project, meant to promote the town as a cultural and literary tourist destination by focusing on a writer deeply concerned with the welfare of the society. Virtual tourists are also encouraged to learn more about Dickens’s stay in Lowell by accessing an online guide of the writer’s stops in the town (https://dickens.archives-uml.com/VWT/WalkingTour/INDEX.html).

WHO IS SUPPOSED TO GUARANTEE AN INCOME IN OLD AGE?

The amount of old-age pension from the Polish social insurance is based on the amount of accumulated retirement capital (the amount of old-age insurance contributions paid during one's entire professional career) and unisex life expectancy calculated for persons in the same age as an insured person. Most of pensioners' household income is made up of social security benefits, including, but not limited to the old-age pension from the social insurance scheme. This pillar is guaranteed by state. It is possible to increase income in retirement by participating in additional saving programmes organised by employers, and individual plans. Diversification of income sources for old age, extending working life and additional, supplementary savings are driving the amount of retirement income upwards. The results of the study titled "The world tailored for seniors" show that seniors are aware of the link between the amount of retirement benefit and actions taken during one's professional career. But do young persons entering the labour market have such awareness?

Gender Rights Differences in Rural Social Security

The extensive participation of Chinese women in rural economic activities has not only contributed significantly to the construction and development of the rural economy but also played a crucial role in poverty alleviation efforts. Womens involvement in various sectors such as agriculture, livestock farming, handicrafts, and small-scale businesses has helped create employment opportunities, increase household income, and improve living standards for their families. However, despite their immense contributions, there still exist disparities in social security rights, including pension insurance, medical insurance, and maternity insurance, between women and men in rural areas. Rural women's labor remains undervalued, resulting in inadequate social security coverage compared to men. By comparing the discrepancies in social security rights between rural women and men, it becomes evident that the value of women is grossly underestimated. It is imperative for the government to establish and improve a policy and regulatory system that safeguards women's personal rights while incorporating a gender perspective into the process of policy formulation to ensure basic rights protection for rural women and promote sustainable development in new rural areas.

The Influence of Population Aging on Economic Growth and Countermeasures

The data from the seventh population census in 2020 shows that China's population is aging further, and the long-term and rapid aging phenomenon will have a huge impact on China's economy. Therefore, the extensive repercussions that demographic expansion and the aging populace exert on economic proliferation have arouse wide concern. This paper will use theoretical analysis to explore the influence of the aging demographic on economic growth from the four aspects of effective labor supply, savings and investment, enterprise innovation, and social security, and put forward some policy suggestions to deal with these shocks. The research finds that population aging will affect the effective labor supply and reduce the savings rate. The effect of enterprise innovation will be weakened in promoting population aging and the social security system: the pension insurance system and the medical insurance system will be seriously influenced. Therefore, this paper summarizes how population aging has some influence on China's economic growth from the above four perspectives, and puts forward some suggestions in order to alleviate the bad impact of population aging on economic development. It is suggested to improve the family planning policy, delay retirement, strengthen basic education, encourage technological innovation in enterprises to alleviate the problem of an insufficiently effective labor force, and establish a fully covered pension system to ensure the elder people lead a high-quality life.

Striving for effective social development interventions in South Africa

The socio-economic conditions of the poor in South Africa remain dire, and little has been done to improve them. However, many faith-based organizations (FBOs) have entered into agreements with the state to overcome various social development problems. Nevertheless, since questions continue to be raised regarding the rate of resolution of social development problems in South Africa, the difficulty may lie with the conceptualization and understanding of the partnership between church and state and the role that this partnership plays. This article reports on a critical assessment of the partnerships between FBOs in Elsies River and some Western Cape government organizations. The study entailed semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample to understand how both role players understood the FBO-state partnership, and how their understanding and social praxis either brought about more complexities and negative consequences or had a beneficial and positive influence on how poor social conditions in the communities are attended to. The study found that the South African government is not always adequately resourced to provide the necessary social welfare services and therefore makes use of alternative service providers to render social development services on its behalf. Furthermore, the study raises a deep concern about the imbalance in the power relations between the two stakeholders.

Analysis of the Impact of Government Policies on Supply and Demand in China's Real Estate Markets in First-tier and Second-tier Cities

Due to changes in demographics, urbanization, and economic development, the Chinese real estate market has intrigued many analysts in the last three decades. To begin with, it is necessary to know more about the nature of this market since it plays an essential role in the country's economic development and in improving the standard of living of its population. The importance of the real estate industry cannot be overemphasized in the context of China, specifically in terms of the financial structure, urbanization, and social welfare. Hence, evaluating government policies in this regard is crucial to understand further, how and why they work or fail, along with the impact on the growth of cities. Thus, this paper aims to provide an overview and qualitative analysis of the Chinese real estate market's government policies between first- and second-tier cities, focusing on supply and demand. The actual policies include purchase restrictions, availability of land, and monetary policies, and the effects of actual policies are discussed for various tiers of cities. The study establishes that first-tier cities are highly priced and competitive due to high supply and demand, while second-tier cities are variably priced and could be oversupplied. These issues need more profound and local policy suggestions to understand specific heterogeneities of various Chinese urban property markets and strive for the mutual and relatively balanced growth of different city clusters.

Endogenous equity shares in duopoly markets with product differentiation

AbstractFirms can form partial passive ownership arrangements by acquiring equity shares in competitors' profits. We consider a duopoly model in which products are differentiated along both vertical and horizontal dimensions and one firm may acquire the other firm's equity shares before they engage in strategic competition. We identify equilibrium equity shares and characterize how the choice of equity shares depends on three previously unexplored factors: (i) the size of the market, (ii) the degree of horizontal product differentiation and (iii) the degree of vertical product differentiation. Whether an increase in the size of the market increases firm's incentive to hold a stake in the rival depends on whether the acquiring firm is a high‐quality firm or a low‐quality firm. The effect of vertical product differentiation also depends on the type of the acquiring firm, high‐quality vis‐à‐vis low‐quality. On the contrary, an increase in horizontal product differentiation can increase firm's incentive to hold a stake in the rival, irrespective of the type of the acquiring firm. We also find that the equilibrium levels of consumer welfare and social welfare may be lower compared to the case of no partial passive ownership.

Food Insecurity, Comorbidities and Intersectorality in Food Banks: A Multiple Case Study

Objective: To develop a system of communication between the sectors (health, social assistance, education) in order to prevent the worsening of the health conditions of those assisted. Theoretical Framework: the text presents the concept and purpose of food banks in Brazil and around the world, their relevance and the intrinsic relationship between food insecurity and comorbidities. Method: Multiple case study involving the Food Banks of Itanhaém-SP, Carinhanha-BA and Rosário do Catete-SE to analyze the situation in different Brazilian states. Results and Discussion: The research indicated that the proposed system proved promising in reducing the distress of the people assisted, highlighting the effectiveness of an integrated approach between the different sectors involved. Research Implications: The research suggests that the proposed communication system can contribute significantly to improving coordination between the different agents of assistance and public policies integrated into the Food Banks, with the potential to improve food security and the health conditions of the people assisted. Originality/Value: The intersectoral approach through more agile communication is an innovation in the management of Food Banks, aligning them more concretely with SDG 2030, especially SDGs 1, 2 and 3.

EFFECT OF AFLATOXIN EXPOSURE IN LIVESTOCK AND PUBLIC HEALTH: REVIEW

Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites produced by the fungi Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus, which commonly infest various nutritious foods and animal feed. Given the widespread occurrence of aflatoxins and their significant impact on livestock and public health, understanding the mechanisms of toxicity, routes of exposure and economic implications is crucial. This review aims to investigate the causes and effects of aflatoxin exposure on both human and animal health while proposing strategies for preventing and controlling contamination. Aflatoxin contamination impacts the entire food chain, affecting the production, storage, processing, trade and consumption of both plant and animal products. Its consequences extend to human health, livestock welfare, agricultural productivity, environmental integrity and trade, particularly in regions with inadequate aflatoxin control measures. Aflatoxicosis can result in acute mortality, cancer, immune suppression and other chronic health issues. Effective control measures include pre-harvest interventions, careful management during harvest and post-harvest decontamination. Strategies such as selecting resistant crop varieties, employing biological decontamination using microorganisms, physically removing contaminated materials and chemically inactivating aflatoxins are crucial for prevention. Regulating aflatoxin levels in food and feed is essential for protecting public health and promoting equitable trade, necessitating the establishment and enforcement of maximum allowable limits.

Why settle?: Partisan-based explanation of investor-state dispute outcomes

AbstractThis paper seeks to explain why some investor-state dispute cases are settled before reaching the ruling stage in democracies, focusing on disputes triggered by regulatory changes made by host government. Our argument is grounded in the domestic politics of the respondent country, specifically the partisan orientation of the incumbent government. When faced with regulatory investor claims, respondent governments must balance protecting domestic social welfare with promoting investment. Our theory is that right-leaning governments are more likely to settle because they are more willing to make regulatory concessions to appease foreign investors and attract investment. In contrast, left-leaning governments prefer arbitral rulings over settlements, as they view settlements as a capitulation to foreign investors’ demands at the expense of public welfare. Using original data from 335 investor-state disputes involving democratic host countries between 1994 and 2020, we find support for this claim. Moreover, we provide qualitative evidence from the investor-state dispute between TC Energy Corporation, a Canadian energy company, and the United States, as well as the investor-state disputes triggered by Argentina’s 2002 emergency measures, to confirm our hypothesized causal pathway linking government partisanship to the likelihood of settlement.

Optimizing dormant account management in UAE banking: Legal gaps and proposed reforms

The management of dormant accounts and unclaimed balances is a pressing challenge in the banking sector of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly given the complex regulatory landscape. This study analyzes 150 dormant accounts across five major UAE banks (Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, Sharjah Islamic Bank, and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank) and identifies gaps in the legal framework, including the absence of clear definitions and handling of non-monetary assets.The study investigates the legal framework governing dormant accounts, specifically focusing on the Dormant Accounts System No. 1 of 2020. The results highlight critical issues, including the lack of clear timelines for transferring unclaimed balances and inconsistencies in communication protocols for notifying account holders. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need for standardized practices across financial institutions in the UAE.To address these challenges, the study proposes legislative amendments to improve asset management and consumer protection. Key recommendations include establishing standardized definitions, implementing automated tracking systems for dormant accounts, and integrating dormant balances into social welfare programs to enhance public trust. These reforms could significantly improve operational efficiency and legal clarity in the UAE banking sector, contributing to a more transparent and effective management of dormant accounts and unclaimed balances. Acknowledgments The authors are thankful to the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at the University of Bisha for supporting this work through the Fast-Track Research Support Program.

The Impact of Monetary Policy on Healthcare Affordability: A Case Study of China's Urban and Rural Basic Medical Insurance

Longer life expectancy and improved health are key indicators of economic growth. As such, strategies to bolster the medical security system are priorities in government budgeting. The government is dedicating all available resources to better healthcare in rural and underdeveloped areas, narrowing the urban-rural healthcare gap, and achieving equitable healthcare resource distribution. This study examines the effect of monetary policy on healthcare affordability, focusing on China's Urban and Rural Basic Medical Insurance (URRBMI). It investigates how macroeconomic policies, such as interest rates and inflation control, affect healthcare costs and shape URRBMI's financial protection. Using an integrated methodology, including a literature review, theoretical framework, and econometric analysis, the research uncovers how monetary policy impacts healthcare costs and URRBMI's effectiveness. The findings highlight the importance of monetary policy in healthcare affordability. The study recommends collaboration between monetary authorities and healthcare policymakers to improve China's healthcare system's sustainability and effectiveness. Furthermore, these insights are crucial for refining URRBMI and provide new understandings of optimizing macroeconomic policy interactions with social welfare programs.

A Study of the Complexity of Markets and the Diversity of Economic Embodiments

This research investigates the social context of the variety of economic systems and the intricacy of markets. It looks at how markets and economic systems have developed and operated globally, taking into account historical, cultural, and social influences. The analysis and comprehension of the diversity of economic systems and the intricacy of markets are the main goals of this thesis. It investigates the functioning and interactions of various economic systems, including capitalism, socialism, and mixed economies, in various social contexts. The intricacies of markets and their influences on inequality, economic growth, and general social welfare are examined. The goal of this research is to offer a grasp of the composition and dynamics of economic systems and marketplaces. It outlines the main forces at work in them, such as supply and demand, market forces, and governmental involvement. This paper also studies how various economic systems affect social mobility, income distribution, and economic stability. This paper uses analytical data, analysis of literature, case studies and comparative analysis to analyze the various economic systems and their results. This paper finds that economic policies must be tailored to the specific needs of diverse and dynamic markets in order to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

How population aging impacts the perception of national security and military spending

In a multipolar world order, the demographic shift resulting from rapid population aging is affecting the fundamental unit of national power—the population—which, in turn, can influence a state’s perception of national security. This article examines the relationship between population aging and national security within the framework of “geriatric peace” by Haas (Int Secur 32(1):112–147, 2007). Utilizing panel data from 150 countries between 1992 and 2021, this study reveals two key findings. First, population aging leads to a relative increase in the priority given to social security over national security, resulting in a crowding-out effect on military spending. Second, the crowding-out effect of population aging on military spending is more pronounced in older countries compared to younger ones. To address potential endogeneity, this study employs instrumental variables (IV) estimation, treating population aging as an independent variable rather than a conditional one.

The Shock of Emergencies on Financial Markets and Its Countermeasures

In recent years, the frequent occurrence of major emergencies and their potential impact on the financial market have brought great challenges to the stability and development of the global economy. In this context, it has become an urgent issue to explore how major emergencies affect the financial market and take corresponding measures to deal with them. Through literature research and analysis, this paper concludes the impact of natural disasters, accidents and disasters, public health emergencies and social security emergencies on the financial market respectively, clarifies the transmission path of the impact including the social level, the real economy level and the policy level, and puts forward suggestions for the construction of financial emergency management. That is, to improve the precise prevention and control system, optimize the domestic market environment and the rule of law of financial emergency management rights. The research results are helpful to maintain the stability of the stock market and the overall situation of economic development in major emergencies.

A Case study on MGNREGA and social security in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district, India

One of the progressive and revolutionary pieces of legislation, the National Rural work Grantee Act (NREGA) was enacted by the Indian Parliament in 2005 by the UPA administration to guarantee every rural family a stable source of income and work. The Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is the new name for it as of 2007. This right-based policy initiative's main objective is to guarantee employment and support village infrastructure development for the welfare of rural households. It is also thought of as a comprehensive plan for eradicating rural poverty and advancing sustainable growth of .MGNREGA has been in effect for nine years in all 623 districts throughout the nation, however the programme has not produced the anticipated or even stated goals. The majority of assessment studies have shown that the scheme's poor execution is the reason it is not operating as intended at the ground level. Numerous problems and difficulties arise throughout its execution. There are just a few state, like Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and so on, where programmes are being carried out one after the other. Maharashtra state is a pioneer in MGREGA; the EGS scheme's inception forms the act's foundation. The Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) was launched by the Maharashtra state government in 1974 and operated for the whole year. Presently, the federal government's MGNREGA guidelines include the former employment guarantee programme. Despite the state's expertise with EGS, the current amalgamated MGNREGA programme is not operating well on the ground. Numerous problems arise throughout the implementation process, stemming from several variables including increased workload, selecting the appropriate work location and planning, a convoluted administrative structure with inexperienced personnel, payment delays, and a shortage of human resources. Using a case study of two villages in Tamilnadu, Krishnagiri District area, Thally and Kelamagalam , the author has attempted to analyse these issues. The interview schedule and FGD were used to obtain data. This essay also aims to demonstrate how, if the act is used with zeal and dedication, it might aid in revitalising village resources in order to meet the main objectives of sustainable development.

Socioeconomic impacts and assistance in economically and socially disadvantaged households in Maharashtra, India, during the COVID‐19 pandemic

AbstractCOVID‐19 has disproportionately affected the world's most economically and socially disadvantaged groups. Responses to COVID‐19's economic and social impacts differ between and within countries. Using data collected from 4814 households residing in India's Maharashtra state, we sought to characterize the magnitude of COVID‐19 impacts and the scale of social support or assistance provided to households affected during the onset of the first wave of COVID‐19 in the state of Maharashtra. In the state of Maharashtra, households in urban areas and from socially and economically disadvantaged groups had higher incident rates of experiencing COVID‐19 socioeconomic impacts. The most affected groups also reported receiving more COVID‐19 assistance than less affected groups. Household characteristics such as location, caste, and employment type may influence the rate at which impacts are experienced. Findings from this study suggest that social assistance reached the most affected groups, particularly socioeconomically vulnerable households.