Will the EU-15s current social welfare systems induce migration from the new member states?

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The Free Movement of Workers in the EU – Past, Present and Future
• Migration into the EU-15 – Theory and Empirical Evidence
• The Theories of International Migration
• Empirical Evidence about Migration into the EU-15
• Is There Migration Diversion after the Eastern Enlargement?
• The Economic and Fiscal Impact of Immigration on the German State – Boon or Burden?
• Do the EU-15 Really Need Immigration?
• The Economic Impact of Immigrants
• Who Wins and Who Loses from International Migration?
• Empirical Evidence about the Impact of Immigration on Domestic Wages
• Empirical Evidence about the Impact of Immigration on Domestic Unemployment
• The Fiscal Impact of Immigrants
• Studies Confirming the “immigrant-as-a-burden” Thesis
• Studies Confirming the \"immigrant-as-a-net-contributor\" Thesis
• The “Welfare Magnets” Hypothesis - Hollow Threat or Imminent Danger?
• The Different Welfare States in Europe
• The Social Assistance in Germany and the UK – a Head-to-Head Comparison
• The “Welfare Magnets” Hypothesis – Basic Theory
• The “Welfare Magnets” Hypothesis – Empirical Evidence
• USA
• EU-15
• Germany
• Harmonizing the EU-15's Social Policies - Panacea or Pandora's Box?
• Pro-Harmonization Arguments
• Contra-Harmonization Arguments
• Other Migration Policy Options

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This work aims to analyze the potential effects of the EU's eastward expansion on migration patterns within the European Union. Specifically, it focuses on whether the social welfare systems of the older EU member states (EU-15) will induce migration from the new member states.

• The free movement of workers in the EU
• The economic and fiscal impact of immigration on EU-15 member states
• The "welfare magnets" hypothesis and its empirical evidence
• The potential for harmonization of social policies in the EU
• The implications of EU enlargement for migration patterns

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The first chapter introduces the topic of the free movement of workers in the EU and its historical context. It then discusses the theory and empirical evidence related to migration into the EU-15, including the impact of the eastern enlargement. Chapter three delves into the economic and fiscal impact of immigration on the German state, examining the potential benefits and burdens. The “welfare magnets” hypothesis, which suggests that generous social welfare systems attract migrants, is explored in detail in chapter four. This chapter examines the theory behind the hypothesis and reviews relevant empirical evidence from different countries, including the USA, EU-15, and Germany. The final chapter explores the potential consequences of harmonizing social policies in the EU, analyzing both the potential benefits and drawbacks.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This work focuses on migration, social welfare systems, economic impact of immigration, fiscal impact of immigration, welfare magnets, EU enlargement, and social policy harmonization. It draws on empirical evidence and theoretical models to analyze the potential consequences of EU enlargement on migration patterns and the implications for member states.