Work and the Social Safety Net : Labor Activation in Europe and the United States

During the first two decades of the twenty-first century, the United States and much of the developed world were rocked by three successive economic shocks, each one more severe than the one before. Real relief from these economic shocks, of course, can only come from a restored economy--with balanced strength across many sectors and regions. Safety-net programs can also help alleviate this suffering. They provide urgent financial help and, when properly designed, can assist, motivate, or nudge recipients to seek and accept new employment. When necessary, they can help recipients to learn new skills and engage in other socially preferred behaviors. That is, they can "activate" the unemployed and underemployed. Work and the Social Safety Net: Labor Activation in Europe and the United States describes how in the 1990s and early 2000s many European countries adopted policy reforms aimed at activating those recipients apparently able to work. These policy reforms were put to the test during the Great Recession and its aftermath. This volume reviews the experiences from both Europe and the United States during this period, and includes two chapters apiece on unemployment insurance, social assistance, disability, public employment services, and political economy. Work and the Social Safety Net identifies policies for activating recipients of safety-net programs while still preserving a strong social safety net--as a guide during the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and future downturns. ## Abstract Although industrialized countries have long provided public protection to working-age people with disabilities, their specific policies and programs have evolved over time. The impetus for change has been multifaceted: rapid growth in program costs, greater awareness that people with impairments are able and willing to work, and increased recognition that protecting the economic security of people with disabilities might best be done by maintaining their connections with the labor market. This chapter describes the evolution of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program in the United States and the importance that policy has played in its rapid growth. Based on the shared experiences of the Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, Germany, and Australia, this chapter outlines lessons for US policymakers as they consider reforms to more effectively control SSDI growth. "For many decades, American liberals have pointed to Europe's social welfare systems as a model for the US. As Senator Bernie Sanders famously said: "I think we should look to countries like Denmark, like Sweden and Norway, and learn what they have accomplished for their working people" (Moody, 2016)"-- Sommario fornito dall'editore "For many decades, American liberals have pointed to Europe's social welfare systems as a model for the US. As Senator Bernie Sanders famously said: "I think we should look to countries like Denmark, like Sweden and Norway, and learn what they have accomplished for their working people" (Moody, 2016)"-- Provided by publisher