The Intelligence from The Economist Casting the net wider: remaking the welfare state
Mar 12, 2021
Sasha Nauta, Public policy editor for The Economist, discusses the need for a more flexible welfare state in light of recent economic crises. Charlie McCann, an economist based in Singapore, emphasizes the vital role of human connection and its impact on health, tackling the emotional void left by isolation during the pandemic. They explore innovative approaches to rethinking government support, the concept of 'skin hunger,' and the importance of physical touch as essential to well-being.
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Demand vs. Will
- Public demand for stronger safety nets is growing due to pandemic experiences.
- Whether governments have the will and resources to meet this demand remains a question.
Revamping Welfare
- Benefit generosity should be tied to the economy's health, increasing during downturns and decreasing in upturns.
- Invest in human capital through childcare, healthcare, education, and reskilling.
Larry's Touch
- Larry, a 62-year-old accountant living alone in Chicago, felt the impact of lacking human contact during lockdown.
- He found a simple nurse's touch to be electrifying after months of isolation.
