Ruut Veenhoven & Piet Ouweneel
Social Indicators Research. 1995, vol 36, page 1-49
ABSTRACT
One issue in the debate on the welfare-state is whether state-care renders society more
livable or not. The positive view is that people flourish in the welfare-state, the
negative view is that people thrive better without. This article approaches the dispute
empirically, by comparing livability of nations that differ in state-welfare-effort.
The livability of nations is measured by the degree to which its
citizens live long and happily. State-welfare-effect is measured by the scope of
welfare-laws and the size of state-welfare-expenditures. Data on average
appreciation-of-life around 1980 are available for 28 nations; mostly rich ones.
Appreciation-of-life appears somewhat greater in the nations that provide most
state-welfare. However, that difference is entirely due to parallel differences in
economic affluence. Data on change in life-satisfaction between 1950 and 1980 are
available for only 10 nations, all rich ones. Life-satisfaction did not increase more in
the nations where state-welfare expanded most.
Data on length-of-life in 1980 are available for 97 nations, of which
28 rich ones. Life-expectancy appears to be greater in the nations that provide most
state-welfare, but again the difference disappears when income per head is controlled.
Data on change in life-expectancy 1965--1985 are available for 35 nations. Gains in
life-expectancy appear not greater in the nations were state-welfare expanded most.
It is concluded that state involvement in welfare provision does not
create a more livable society. Apparently, non-state welfare works out equally well in
present day conditions.