Discussion paper

DP10061 Trust and the Welfare State: the Twin Peaks Curve

We show the existence of a twin peaks relation between trust and the size of the welfare state that stems from two opposing forces. Uncivic people support large welfare states because they expect to benefit from them without bearing their costs. But civic individuals support generous benefits and high taxes only when they are surrounded by trustworthy individuals. We provide empirical evidence for these behaviors and this twin peaks relation in the OECD countries.

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Citation

Cahuc, P, Y Algan and M Sangnier (2014), ‘DP10061 Trust and the Welfare State: the Twin Peaks Curve‘, CEPR Discussion Paper No. 10061. CEPR Press, Paris & London. https://cepr.org/publications/dp10061