@article{MacCulloch:290512,
      recid = {290512},
      author = {MacCulloch, Robert},
      title = {How political systems and social welfare policies affect  well-being: A literature review},
      address = {2017-09},
      number = {1124-2019-2372},
      pages = {18},
      year = {2017},
      abstract = {This chapter focusses on the question of how formal  institutions, like those governing the level of freedom,  the regulatory state, political parties and the generosity  of the welfare state, affect self-reported well-being. The  evidence suggests, for example, that more freedom, as well  as government structures which encourage civic engagement,  participation and trust, have positive effects. Many  studies, however, use cross-sectional data with small  sample sizes, often due to institutions being measured at  the country level with limited variation over time. As a  consequence, further work is needed to test robustness.  Stronger results hold with respect to particular types of  welfare state institutions, like unemployment benefits,  which are subject to quite frequent changes within nations.  Increases in unemployment benefits are associated with  higher levels of well-being for all workers, probably due  to greater income security. However, doubt still persists  as to their overall impact, due to the extent to which  well-being is adversely affected by the higher taxes needed  to support a more generous welfare state.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/290512},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.290512},
}