Crisis, Austerity and the European Social Model in Portugal

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Pilar González (Author) FEP; António Figueiredo (Author) FEP

Journal

Title: Economia & Lavoro

Vol. XLVIII No. 2

Pages: 49-69

ISSN: 0012-978X

Publisher: Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini

Indexing

Econlit

Scientific classification

FOS: Social sciences > Economics and Business

Other information

Abstract (EN): The Portuguese version of the European Social Model has been impacted by the Great Recession and austerity policies. In this paper we argue that the Portuguese experience shows similar effects to other European Union countries (under economic adjustment or simply touched by the consequences of the Great Recession on public finances) but also shows distinctive consequences. The paper collects evidence on reforms targeted at increasing the cost-effectiveness of some pillars of the Portuguese Social Model, which were already in place before 2008, but have since been undermined by austerity measures lacking strategic coherence. The paper focuses on the historical context of the ESM in Portugal to discuss the impact of austerity in the country. We also discuss the noticeable impact of austerity on the Portuguese middle class. The Portuguese version of the European Social Model has been impacted by the Great Recession and austerity policies. In this paper we argue that the Portuguese experience shows similar effects to other European Union countries (under economic adjustment or simply touched by the consequences of the Great Recession on public finances) but also shows distinctive consequences. The paper collects evidence on reforms targeted at increasing the cost-effectiveness of some pillars of the Portuguese Social Model, which were already in place before 2008, but have since been undermined by austerity measures lacking strategic coherence. The paper focuses on the historical context of the ESM in Portugal to discuss the impact of austerity in the country. We also discuss the noticeable impact of austerity on the Portuguese middle class.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific