I think it's slightly simplistic to argue that state pensions schemes are automatically sustainable just because they're guaranteed by the state, particularly when we can see that post-industrial sociaties are on a path to gerontocracy embedded in short-termist political systems which discourage the implementation of necessary reforms
Did you see the questions at the end? "Do you think the pensions system will collapse at some point? If it does collapse, will voters blame the incumbent government of the time? If the system collapses on your watch [ie, the hard right's watch], what is the plan to keep your movement alive afterwards?"
unsustainable state pension systems fostered by mainstream politians have created sovereign debt crisis in recent times (Greece 2009) the inmidiate democratic reaponse was an understandable but unhelpful wave of far-left populism which nearly collapsed the Eurozone. Surely the responsible (albeit difficult) thing do is to reform the state pension systems to a) incentivise private savings b) equalise pension benefits c) avoid labour market distortions
I never said it was easy, but in my humble opinion, defining Pension Reform as a "Far Rght cliché" is burying one's head in the sand and doing a favour to the Far Right, at that.
As you asked, here's some manifesto principles I'd vote for:
- lower voting age to 16
- means test pension benefits
- gradually cap state pension at average earnings
- increase retirement age
- bring in tax-incentives for private pension contributions
... I do realise it would take a courageous and charismatic politician to sell this to Spanish voters; but what's the alternative? wait for the next sovereign debt crisis to force the reforms and hope that younger generations don't mind picking the bill whilst they navigate the climate crisis?
I think it's slightly simplistic to argue that state pensions schemes are automatically sustainable just because they're guaranteed by the state, particularly when we can see that post-industrial sociaties are on a path to gerontocracy embedded in short-termist political systems which discourage the implementation of necessary reforms
Did you see the questions at the end? "Do you think the pensions system will collapse at some point? If it does collapse, will voters blame the incumbent government of the time? If the system collapses on your watch [ie, the hard right's watch], what is the plan to keep your movement alive afterwards?"
unsustainable state pension systems fostered by mainstream politians have created sovereign debt crisis in recent times (Greece 2009) the inmidiate democratic reaponse was an understandable but unhelpful wave of far-left populism which nearly collapsed the Eurozone. Surely the responsible (albeit difficult) thing do is to reform the state pension systems to a) incentivise private savings b) equalise pension benefits c) avoid labour market distortions
You're not answering the question! About one in four voters in Spain are pensioners. How do you get from A to B without blowing up democracy?
I never said it was easy, but in my humble opinion, defining Pension Reform as a "Far Rght cliché" is burying one's head in the sand and doing a favour to the Far Right, at that.
As you asked, here's some manifesto principles I'd vote for:
- lower voting age to 16
- means test pension benefits
- gradually cap state pension at average earnings
- increase retirement age
- bring in tax-incentives for private pension contributions
... I do realise it would take a courageous and charismatic politician to sell this to Spanish voters; but what's the alternative? wait for the next sovereign debt crisis to force the reforms and hope that younger generations don't mind picking the bill whilst they navigate the climate crisis?
A timely piece considering how MAGA is gearing up for an assault on everyone’s hard earned state retirement benefits. Stay tuned!