Social Security in European Countries That Border the Mediterranean Sea

Seminar Paper , 2003 , 24 Pages , Grade: 1,3 (A)

Economics - Case Scenarios

Introduction

The question of social security and proposals for solutions are often discussed in Germany. But the welfare system is not only in this country a main topic: There are proposals of reforms in many western industrial countries. In this context it is interesting to know which problems other European states have and how they try to guarantee social security. This report analyzes the social policies in the European countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. In order to limit the text to a size of 15 pages, the work is concentrated on the member states of the European Union situated next to the Mediterranean Sea. Thus 89 percent of human beings in the Mediterranean area of Europe are considered. Another focal point is the old-age insurance in France, Greece, Italy and Spain always in comparision with Germany. This part of social security was chosen because the expenditures for the old-age pension are higher than the other social contributions.

A valuation model will compare the welfare systems of France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Germany in the end. The necessary criterions are presented in the following study. The demographic conditions of the countries, the level of social security, the financing of the welfare systems and the redistribution of social contributions. The fight against the poverty is considered as a central task of welfare systems. That is why redistribution is an important criterion in the valuation model.

Table of Contents

• 1 INTRODUCTION
• 2 CRITERIONS OF THE VALUATION MODEL
  • 2.1 Overview over Demographic Trends
  • 2.2 Social Protection Expenditures
  • 2.3 Financing of the Welfare Systems
    • 2.3.1 The Structure of Sources of Receipts
    • 2.3.2 Reform Ideas in France, Italy and Spain
  • 2.4 The Fight Against the Poverty With Redistribution
• 3 VALUATION OF THE PRESENTED WELFARE SYSTEMS
  • 3.1 The Method of Scoring
  • 3.2 Realization of the Scoring
• 4 CONCLUSION

Objectives and Key Themes

This term paper examines the social security systems of European countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The analysis aims to assess the strengths and weaknesses of these systems using a specific valuation model. The paper focuses on demographic trends, social protection expenditures, financing mechanisms, and the role of redistribution in combating poverty.

• Demographic Trends
• Social Protection Expenditures
• Financing of Welfare Systems
• Redistribution and Poverty Reduction
• Evaluation of Welfare Systems

Chapter Summaries

• Chapter 1: Introduction Provides a brief overview of the topic and the scope of the analysis.
• Chapter 2: Criteria of the Valuation Model Discusses the key criteria used to evaluate the social security systems, including demographic trends, social protection expenditures, financing mechanisms, and redistribution policies.
• Chapter 3: Valuation of the Presented Welfare Systems Presents the methodology for scoring the social security systems based on the criteria outlined in Chapter 2 and discusses the application of the scoring method.

Keywords

Social security, welfare systems, Mediterranean countries, demographic trends, social protection expenditures, financing, redistribution, poverty, evaluation model, scoring, European Union, social benefits, pension systems, healthcare, unemployment benefits.

• College: University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg (Economy and Law)
• Course: Social Security in Germany and Europe
• Grade: 1,3 (A)
• Author: Alexander Knuppertz (Author)
• Publication Year: 2003
• Pages: 24
• Catalog Number: V18879
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638231343
• Language: English
• Tags: Social, Security, European, Countries, That, Border, Mediterranean, Social, Security, Germany, Europe