Discussion Papers no. 269

A critique of the Rosen model

Child care in the welfare state

A recent study of the welfare state in Sweden, Rosen (1995, 1996, 1997), concludes that child care subsidies may lead to substantial deadweight losses that may impede economic growth and the future of the welfare state. In this article we show that the deadweight losses are highly sensitive to some parameter restrictions implied by Rosen's theoretical model. We then critically review the relation between the parameter values in Rosen's model. Moreover, as a first approach to extend Rosen's model, we analyze the case of positive externalities associated with child quality. The positive externality provides a rationale for child care subsidies, as expected, and also influences the optimal income tax rate.

Om publikasjonen

Tittel

Child care in the welfare state. A critique of the Rosen model

Ansvarlige

Iulie Aslaksen, Charlotte Koren

Serie og -nummer

Discussion Papers no. 269

Utgiver

Statistics Norway, Research Department

Emne

Discussion Papers

Antall sider

26

Målform

Engelsk

Om Discussion Papers

Discussion papers comprise research papers intended for international journals and books. A preprint of a Discussion Paper may be longer and more elaborate than a standard journal article as it may include intermediate calculations, background material etc.

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