Martijn van de Ven
| Date of Ph.D. defense: | May 6, 1996 |
| Title of thesis: | Intergenerational Redistribution in Representative Democracies |
| ISBN: | 90 5668 013 7 |
| Promotors: | Prof.dr. Harrie Verbon, Prof.dr. Casper Van Ewijk and Prof.dr. Lex Meijdam |
Abstract:
This thesis deals with political decision making on intergenerational redistributive policies via
public debt, public pensions and public investment. Members of different generations have
different preferences on these redistributive policies. The resulting intergenerational conflict is
resolved in the political process. Using a representative democracy framework, the decision
making on these policies is performed by politicians who are chosen to represent the different
generations present. Future generations not yet alive are therefore not represented though they
may be confronted with the effects of current policy choices. The evolution of public policies due
to this political conflict is analysed where the effect of current policy choices on future policy
choices is taken into account. Besides, comparisons are made to social welfare maximizing
governments and central planners. Also the effects of different sets of policy instruments on the
policy choice are analysed.
Global / English