Policy Convergence, Divergence and Intragenerational Equity in EU15 Nations

Abstract

This chapter will bring both the macro and micro empirical elements explored in Chapters 4–7 together for an analytical discussion with reference to the literature from the first two chapters. Following the argument that early exit and retirement policies allow for the decommodification of labour, the retrenchment of these policies therefore represents a de facto shift towards recommodification, whilst the introduction of active labour market policies for older workers represent the de jure recommodification of labour. As explored in Chapters 2 and 3, the EU advocates the narrowing of decommodification options and the expansion of policies for the recommodification of labour as part of its ‘active ageing’ agenda. This strategy, it is argued, is necessary to achieve the end of increased and prolonged labour market participation in older age and in turn prevent intergenerational conflict and maintain welfare arrangements. Thus where nations have retrenched their policies for the decommodification of labour whilst at the same time expanding their policies for the recommodification of labour, they could in the context of the EU targets and guidelines be considered to adhere to this particular organisation’s active ageing agenda. This chapter therefore addresses three questions: first, are all nations converging towards the EU-vision of active ageing?