...the welfare state in the new global order by gøsta esping-andersen unrisd united nations research institute for social development UNRISD work for the Social Summit is being carried out with the support and co-operation of the United Nations Development Programme. Proof-reading and layout: Rhonda Gibbes Dissemination: Adrienne Cruz UNRISD/OP/94/7 ISSN 1020-2285 Copyright United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD). Short extracts from this publication may be reproduced unaltered without authorization on condition that the source is indicated. For rights of reproduction or translation, application should be made to UNRISD, Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland. UNRISD welcomes such applications. UNRISD publications can be obtained from the same address. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute. after the golden age: the future of the welfare state in the new global order occasional paper no. 7 world summit for social development after the golden age: the future of the welfare state...
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...‘Conservatism merely reflects the interests of the privileged and prosperous.’ Discuss (45) This statement is asking whether all forms of conservatism’s values and actions in the past are because they wish to reflect the interests of those in society who are better off, sacrificing the interests of the less well off in doing so. The current debate is very unclear as opinion on this does, and always has varied greatly. Generally, left-wing labour supporters believe this statement is true whereas the rest of society do not agree. Conservatives have strenuously denied this claim over the years. This essay will argue that Conservatism does in fact merely reflect the interests of the privileged and prosperous, despite this claim being strongly denied by current and past conservatives. On one hand, Conservatism does not merely reflect the interests of the privileged and prosperous, as they believe that tradition and authority benefits everyone, as it provides security and stability in society. Authority, which is the right to exercise power over others, is seen by conservatives as a guarantee of social order because it provides security and stability. People know ‘where they stand’ and what their roles are in society. There are those that are ‘leaders’ and those that are ‘followers’. This is reflected in Edmund Burke’s belief in a ‘natural aristocracy’, which is the belief in an aristocracy, which arises out of work and competition rather than birth, education, or special privilege...
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...The welfare, intended as the set of measures and policies devoted to ensure minimum quality life standards to individuals, is normally associated to the state insomuch reference is generally made to “welfare state”. The welfare state is based on ethical ideals: it is created in the name of social justice, to implement the fundamental rights and freedoms of human beings (as developed from time to time in the various cultures). Stuart White wants to clarify in the Oxford Handbook of the Welfare State, the main ethical arguments, which are inherent in the creation of the welfare state. First of all a process for the achievement of the basic needs of the citizens (questionable what are the basic needs), latterly equality, seen as same opportunities without racial or social influence, and lastly liberty, conceived as ‘negative’ liberty of coercive ‘redistribution’ in order to achieve a moral and social congruence between all the individuals. However, welfare state, even if based on ethic-philosophical findings, has many implications and effects in the economic field. As Briggs (1961) argued, the welfare state is an organization whose purpose is to modify the market forces in at least three directions: (I) ensure to the individuals and to the families minimum incomes; (II) decrease the level of insecurity; and (III) assure the best standard available of social services (Cittadini 2015). ***** Modern concept...
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...A New Work Ethic A New Work Ethic Let’s examine work ethic today and how it has changed. We will look at personal experiences and the typical attitudes in the work place and the implications of work ethic for the future of American business. Finally, we will examine the reasoning behind employee theft in the workplace. Describe how typical the attitudes that Sheehy reports appear to be in work environments you have experienced. As I read “A new work ethic“and the experience of James Sheehy, how typical the attitudes are in the work environments that I have experienced. I was working in a management position where the typical employee was from 18 to 25 years of age and they regarded the work as something to do until they get a real job or graduate from college. The worst offenses would come with opening and closing of the store, includes washing floors, taking out trash, cleaning the tables and cleaning of kitchen and prep for the following day. Consistent with Sheely’s observation, they would find any shortcuts and did not have any pride in their work. When I approached one employee whose assignment was to wash the floor, and mentioned he missed a section behind the bar his response was that customer’s will not see that spot. They studied the attendance policy and they knew how many times they could call off before getting written up. I also experienced the attitude of I can’t wait to graduate and get a real job leaving this job for the uneducated person. In My...
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...money. * Proportionate in character. * Levied on persons or property * Levied by the state which has jurisdiction mover the subject. Advantages * Corrects market failure. * Companies are in favor of it as they pass on the costs to their consumers. * Provides public goods. Disadvantages * Can become excessive in certain ways, discouraging investment or work. Advantages and disadvantages of taxation to redistribute income Taxation is a tool commonly used by government as a means of redistributing income amongst its citizens. In some instances, taxation can have a positive effect on the redistribution of income, other times, it can do more harm than good. Taxation helps greatly in the redistribution of income as it gives the government funds which they can use to fund public services. In countries that have solid taxation systems, revenue from taxes will be great. The more revenue there is coming from taxes, the more money there will be left over for the government to provide public services to its citizens. Without the tax revenue that taxation offers, services such as protection from national police, provision of a transportation infrastructure, social security services, etc,. Social security services like welfare check programs help spread the wealth around a nation. The poor who don’t have enough to live properly can apply for these welfare programs,...
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...This essay will focus on exploring the changing approaches and attitudes to welfare since the Poor Law, thus establishing the measures introduced or policies implemented to enable society to lead a sustainable livelihood. In addition, it will identify the individuals who were influential in the creation of a welfare state by examining six different concepts, namely: the 1601 Elizabethean Poor Law, The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, New Liberalism, Fabianism, Thatcherism and Blairism. The removal of monasteries and church welfare led the parliament to pass the first act for the relief of the poor. The 1601 Old Poor Law was a response to the issue of poverty by the state on a national scale, providing relief to the sick/elderly/disabled; able-bodied and children/orphans. Administered by parishes, it “sought to assist the 'settled' poor, who were expected to accept whatever work or relief the parish offered.” (www.victorianweb.org/history/poorlaw/elizpl.html) There is an implication that a safety net was provided for those who had fallen on hard times, however they had no freedom of choice regards the type of employment they took on, their dietary intake, clothing etc. They were reliant on relief and were susceptible to exploitation through cheap labour. “Each parish looked after their own poor and a poor rate was levied on householders” (Moore; 2000). The lack of uniformity in system suggests that treatment and rules differed from parish to parish, however, parishes were likely...
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...Erosion of the Welfare State Since 1979 Works Cited Not Included In this essay I will attempt to examine if and by how much the welfare state has been eroded since 1979. Due to length limitations I will have to oversimplify topics covered. However I will explore issues in a coherent frame work to scrutinize the continuity of the ‘classic welfare state, (Powell 1998). Many political theorists have debated the birth of the welfare state. Poor Law which can be dated back to the 14th century (Labourers Act) maybe considered the first step in a long journey to become what we recognise as the welfare state today (Midwinter1994, Jones 2000). However others classify the beginning of the Classic welfare state by the report written by William Beverage (1942) which identified ‘five giants’ of social disorder; want, idleness, squalor, disease and ignorance. The main focus of the solution was flat-rate contributions as well as flat-rate cash benefits, (Titmuss 1950; Hennessy 1992; Powell 1998). Drawing from these two points of view the foundation of the classic welfare state I will take the latter (Five Giants) as most credible, as most of the major features of the welfare state were initiated by the Labour and Conservative governments (Labour’s landslide victory of the conservations after World War two) from this point, such as the planned, approved and implemented universal non-selective NHS 1948. As we now have a beginning context we must explore when the erosion...
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...Question: Compare the evolution of productivity between USA y UE during the ’80 and ’90. Trends Factors explaining the different trends racism The productivity between United States and Europe during the ’80 and ’90 are different due to several reasons. On a big scale, they both have different social models. For example, Americans and Europeans think differently about poverty, inequality, redistribution of income from the rich to the poor, social protection, and welfare. Americans believe that the poor should take care of themselves and on the other hand, Europeans believe that the government is primarily responsible to help out the poor from their poverty. Europeans consider themselves less happy when inequality increases even as many other individual and social indicators that determine a person’s happiness remain constant. Americans do not consider themselves to be less happy as inequality increases, and neither are the American poor as upset by inequality as the European rich are. Europeans freely and willingly choose to have a larger welfare state, with all associated costs in terms of taxation and regulation, because they dislike inequality. In Europe, the regulations on taxes are very strict so people contribute to paying them. As in the US, they are much easier and not much stricter on the regulation so people are much easier to find a way for not paying taxes. In my opinion, taxes are also related to racism. Since the majority/minority society exists in...
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...According to Wikipedia.com, “Income redistribution is a practice designed to level incomes across a society through the transfer of income from wealthier to poorer individuals, either directly or indirectly. Proponents of this practice argue that it promotes the development of a democratic society and addresses a number of social problems that are linked with poverty. Opponents believe that it is a form of theft, suggesting that it involves taking legitimately earned funds away from people and giving them to others. Many governments around the world practice some form of income distribution, and there are varying ways to approach it”. In my opinion, redistribution of income is a valid economic function of our American system of government because it’s a good way to support those who have lower incomes. Every American’ dreams of finding a job that pays well enough so that they may comfortably take care of their loved ones and themselves for years to come. Most Americans hope to find some way to make a living that they enjoy, something that they view as productive. Unfortunately, many do not have this luxury. In our society, a good portion of the population is forced to hold the base of our country in place while hardly being redeemed for their time and effort, and thus the problem of income inequality. Numbers of these people live from paycheck to paycheck, barely getting by, not because they manage their money poorly, but because the value of their time at work is negligible...
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...The flexibility of labour markets and the elite-orientated education of liberal market economies in the UK and the US result in higher degrees of inequality compared to coordinated market economies. Discuss. Student ID: 0956592 Word count (excluding references): 2492 This paper will discuss and analyze whether the flexibility of labour markets and the elite orientated education in liberal market economies, found in the UK and the US are the only reasons for higher degrees of inequality, compared to coordinated market economies. In order to understand the labour markets of liberal market economies and coordinated market economies, they must be defined in terms of their differences, which can affect the flexibility of their labour markets. Furthermore, it is important to note that there are numerous inequalities which may emerge in this analysis. Namely, gender inequality, class inequality, and wage inequality as well as some other perspectives will be examined. The aim of this paper is recognize which inequalities are more prominent in either liberal market economies or coordinated market economies, in relation to the flexibility of relevant labour market. Drawing on the work of Polanyi (1994), Esteves-Abe et al. (2001) suggest that market failures in economies can be avoided depending on the type and the extent of the social protection offered from national institutions. Liberal market economies, such as the US and UK, have an institutional framework which accents...
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...1 a) Advantages female headed household i. Female headed household get support from social welfare organizations. According to Carnoy (1994), women earn low wages in the labour market and the general condition of the welfare state contribute to the growing number of single mothers living in poverty and this attracted so many social welfare organisations like UN, UNICEF, PLAN international amongst others to support women through giving them soft loans and food. ii. Empowerment, since women have to work for themselves. iii. Freedom/flexible in decision making b) Disadvantages of female headed household Female headed households are always under the threat of rapist, womanizers and often become easy targets of criminals. i. As females are less equipped with the skills of high income generation such as tertiary education, they are not able to take up better jobs in labour market, their mobility to search job at various workplaces is also restricted, several times they are less preferred at workplace in comparison with their male counterparts and they get lesser wage or salary for the same job. Thus it makes a female headed households vulnerable to shock of poverty and risk of survival. ii. This not only restricts time with children, but opportunities for personal rest and recreation, not to mention the active cultivation of links with kin, friends and neighbours and workmates which might enhance their access to ‘positive social capital’...
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...system can no longer sustain equality liberty, and democracy to the American working class. Alperovitz argues that a radical change to our political-economic system is needed. He also believes that it is at the lower or grassroots level that this change has to take place, but that it is going to take some time and a lot of commitment on their part. An analysis of Alperovitz’s book America Beyond Capitalism provides a unique but radical perspective on overhauling our political/economical system. However, his perspective depends on the American working class people to create a new political/economic system in order to restore equality, liberty, and democracy. This idea is plausible, but reducing the federal government down to the city and state level is highly unlikely. Alperovitz claims that our political/economic system can no longer sustain our equality, liberty, and democracy for working class Americans. Alperovitz’s first argument is on equality. His concern is that globalization, changing technologies, and sectoral balances are creating a widening gap of inequality. The decline of labor unions has enabled the corporations to lead a number of campaigns that have challenged redistribution programs. Globalization has increased the influence of large corporations over our economical and political system because they have the option to take their business elsewhere. This increases the corporations bargaining power over the government. Competition for investment has created pressure...
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...Sweden and new age of globalization In the last recent years, world trade had an outstanding growth in domestic product leading to spread more about the word ’’globalization’’. However, the new market’s demand is reason of this development, yet the trade practices reduction that prevent movement of services from one state to another thru World Trade Organization (WTO) had an important impact on this growth in world (Christopher, 2011). In the start, globalization recognized as a solution to insufficiency and assistance to overcome the inadequacy, however, this view has changed after the US Presidential election speech in 2008 and globalization became a concern for both the U.S and Europe stated (Mandelson, 2008). Therefore, challenging those who state that ‘’the boom is not sustainable’’ is what Mandelson attempted to deliver. So in this paper I’m going to evaluate the globalization’s effect on Sweden’s economy & industry and will compare the achievement with Mandelson’s view. Let’s start with he’s opinion on Europe’s social models which are considerably well managed and in favor of globalization compared to the models from the states. Over the last decades, Europe attempted to come up with new social and economic model in order to handle the challenges exposed by the globalization. And one of the countries which could cope successfully with globalization challenges was Sweden by proposing ‘’Swedish model’’. This model defines that ‘’ it is perfectly possible to uphold and...
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...Transfer Payments Transfer payments are welfare payments made available through the social security system including the Jobseeker's' Allowance, Child Benefit, State Pension, Housing Benefit, Income Support and the Working Families Tax Credit. The main aim of transfer payments is to provide a basic floor of income or minimum standard of living for low income households. Current Government Spending This is spending on state-provided goods & services that are provided on a recurrent basis every week, month and year, for example salaries paid to people working in the NHS and resources for state education and defence. The NHS claims a sizeable proportion of total current spending – hardly surprising as it is the country's biggest employer with over one million people working within the organisation! Capital Spending Capital spending includes infrastructure spending such as new motorways and roads, hospitals, schools and prisons. How does government spending affect businesses? The level of government spending has many direct and indirect effects on all businesses. For firms selling goods and services to individual consumers and to other firms: Increased government spending may mean higher taxes Higher taxes reduce the ability of customers to purchase goods and services, which is likely to reduce consumer spending Consequently increased government spending is often at the expense of private sector spending and is therefore potentially harmful to some firms On the other hand...
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...through redistribution of income so that the poor are not as poor and the rich are not as rich and to redistribute this slowly the percentage of poverty could decrease over time. There are different ways the government redistribute income and reduce poverty, I have already mentioned a method in beginning, through taxes, taxes can be used to redistribute income to the poor, taking more from the rich and taking less from the poor. By taking more from the rich, the government uses tax money to fund many different programs, including some that target poverty and inequality. Another method would be welfare and unemployment benefits, welfare can provide money to people with very low incomes. This is the option that gives the recipients the most leeway when deciding how to use their benefits. Unemployment benefits can give a monetary cushion to workers who are unable to find jobs, and, like welfare, are also in the form of money. One more method would be in-kind transfers and housing subsidies, in-kind transfers can give essential goods, like coupons, to the poor. Housing subsidies give the poor money to obtaining decent housing, since rent and upkeep make up a large portion of spending in lower income families. Some of these methods are effective in achieving equity because most of these methods are actually really helpful to decreasing poverty and have benefits. The tax method is really effective, in this case, we are helping and providing to poverty so that we could encourage the percentage...
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