Aging populations are a feature of most developed nations. At present, one in seven Canadians is 65 and older, but this will increase to three-and-a-half within 25 years.

This course studies the implications of how aging population on politics and policies. The course will focus on impacts – including intergenerational conflicts – in employment as well income security policy, such as pensions. We will focus on how demographic shifts shape the debates, policies, and programs of key components of the welfare state. Throughout the course we might also touch on health and long-term care, housing, or transportation policy.

The course begins with a brief overview and history of the welfare state with regard to older citizens. The course then proceeds to an examination of the key demographic and related trends underway in Canada. The third part of the course analyzes the interaction of rapidly aging populations with specific policies, primarily those related to pensions, and health care. The course includes a comparison to developments in other developed nations, especially the United States, but also East Asia.

The central theme of the course is that demographic conditions must be considered in seeking to understand and account for development in policy and politics. A secondary theme is that the aging of the population impacts not only policies for the elderly, but also policies for younger citizens and ‘working-age’ citizens.

Course Text

A course kit has been prepared and is available for purchase at Keele Copy. Additional readings will be provided electronically.

Recommended Text

Dwyer, J. A. & Klassen, T. R. 2005. Flourishing in university and beyond. Toronto: York University Bookstore.

The following resources have been placed on reserve (three day loan) in the Scott Library for this course:

Age, class, politics, and the welfare state
Pampel, Fred C.
HV 37 P28 1989

Ageing and social policy in Australia
Borowski, Allan.
HQ 1064 A88 A39 1997

Age, work, and social security
Atkinson, A. B. (Anthony Barnes)
HQ 1064 E8 A34 1993

Aging and demographic change in Canadian context
Cheal, David J.
HQ 1064 C3 A328 2002

Aging and demographic change in Canadian context [electronic resource]
Cheal, David J.
E-RESERVE

Demography in Canada in the twentieth century
Wargon, Sylvia T.
HB 853 C2 W37 2001

The economic implications of aging societies : the costs of living happily ever after
Nyce, Steven A., 1973-
HB 2583 N93 2005

Fixing the future : how Canada's usually fractious governments worked together to rescue the Canada Pension Plan
Little, Bruce, 1945-
HD 7105.35 C3 L58 2008

Restructuring the welfare state : political institutions and policy change
Rothstein, Bo, 1954-
JC 479 D535 2002

Rethinking the welfare state : the political economy of pension reform
Rein, Martin, 1928-
HD 7091 R414 2004

States, labor markets, and the future of old age policy
Myles, John.
HD 7105.3 S74 1991

Transatlantic policymaking in an age of austerity : diversity and drift
Levin, Martin A.
HN 17.5 T717 2004

The transformation of old age security : class and politics in the American welfare state
Quadagno, Jill S.
HD 7125 Q46 198

Evaluation

Please note

1. Late assignments will not be accepted. Assignments must be submitted in hard copy during class times.

2. Please keep draft copies (electronic and otherwise) of your work for our course. These may be requested.

3. Plagiarism will result, at the minimum, in a grade of zero.

4. If at any time during the course, you have questions or concerns about any aspect of our course, or are uncertain about how to proceed with an assignment, please speak to me.

5. Feel free to submit drafts of assignments for review and feedback to me prior to the due dates.

6. March 8 is the last date to withdraw from this course without receiving a grade.