The Internationalisation of Public Welfare Policy

Abstract

With increasing globalisation of knowledge, there are increased opportunities to 'learn' from the experience ofpolicy interventions elsewhere. This paper presents evidence on the extent of international convergence inpublic policy, with particular focus on labour, welfare, savings and retirement policy. Questions addressed inthis framework include: to what extent is policy diffusion or convergence a real and relevant phenomenon?What role have economists played in the transfer of policy across national domains? Has policy transfer led to'better' public policy? Are there any practical limitations to policy convergence?welfare policy, internationalisation, globalisation, public policy, policy transfer, OECD