the welfare state

definition of the welfare state

organised power deliberately used to modify market forces,

guarantees a minimum income

protects against insecurity

ensures certain social services

(Briggs, 2000)

industrialisation - development of the welfare state

industrial society creates new needs in terms of workforce and family structure

new societal problems due to higher life expectancy and aging population

welfare state responds to industrialisation

(Marshall, 1950)

political parties and institutions - functionalist

collectively provided resources are designed to meet social ‘needs’

(Titmuss, 1955)

marxist

ruling class make concessions to prevent a class rebellion from the working class

(Wedderburn, 1964)

globalisation, post-industrialism, and gender

governments compete for investment and business confidence = more economic and social rights

service-based economy brings new social risks

changing roles of women require new conceptualisations of welfare provisions

(Esping-Andersen, 1999, 2002)

other general theories

party interests

working class mobilization

trade unions

the beveridge report (WW2) - development of the welfare state

A document published in 1942 proposing widespread reforms to address social issues by identifying what they were, which led to the establishment of the welfare state in Britain.

five giant evils: want, disease, ignorance, squalor, idleness

classic liberalism (19th century)

market would adjust things naturally

role of the state:

• assisting in times of hardship

• guaranteeing the rule of law

• producing effective citizens

early 20th century

better understanding of poverty (surveys) fed into policymaking

e.g. national insurance act 1911

actors involved in providing welfare

• the state

• private sector

• voluntary sector

• informal sector

the state as provider

• based on needs and social rights

• varies across the three regime types (EA, 1990)

  • decommodification: when a service is based on rights and individuals don’t have to depend on the market

• equalizing effect on society

• may occur due to market failures (Barr, 2004)

the private sector as provider

cost efficient

professional and highly qualified in specific areas

competition leads to high quality tech

more choice for consumers

(Le Grand, 1991, 1997)

the voluntary sector as provider

no monetary interest, no cost for users

specialised and personalised services

local knowledge

(Kendall & Knapp, 1995)

the informal sector as provider

linked to moral duty

no hidden interests or monetary cost

personal

childcare case study (Simon and Owen, 2015):

• 7/10 of families use childcare

• 1/3 were informal arrangements, mainly grandparents

Marshall (2014) main points:

• how citizenship is granted to those who are full members of a community

  • three components of citizenship (civil, political and social rights)

• capitalism creates inequality, but the expansion of citizenship promotes equality and social cohesion

• rise of the welfare state equalises life chances and protects citizens from capitalism