Actually retirement is a modern result of societies that have gotten wealthy. No one saved at all until relatively recently. Longer lifespans and lower marginal profits from having children have made saving necessary to sustain a rich lifestyle.
How does keeping people in a poor house help them find jobs?
On a related point it doesn't seem that there is any relationship between the generosity of the safety net and savings rate. You are right about cultural attitudes being a factor but this really doesn't have anything to do with saving. Wealthy societies and classes in general are more thrifty because they can afford can be.
How does keeping people in a poor house help them find jobs?
On a related point it doesn't seem that there is any relationship between the generosity of the safety net and savings rate. You are right about cultural attitudes being a factor but this really doesn't have anything to do with saving. Wealthy societies and classes in general are more thrifty because they can afford can be.