The Political Economy of the Welfare State

In the early 1980s, the welfare state faced criticism for failing to address poverty and being over-elaborate. This book examined the basic objectives of welfare services and proposed reforms to relate policies to these objectives, aiming to simplify over-complex arrangements.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 05 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The welfare state, once hailed as a significant factor in establishing a compassionate social order, faced mounting criticism in the early 1980s. Some detractors, particularly in the UK and the USA, argued that it had failed to effectively address poverty. Others believed that it was overly complex, fostered a sense of dependence, and incurred costs that needed to be reduced as part of broader economic recovery efforts. Cuts had already been implemented or were being considered in several countries.

In the face of this challenging scenario, it became crucial to re-examine the fundamental goals of various welfare services from a systematic and comparative perspective. The authors of this book, one an economist and the other a specialist in social administration, undertook a rigorous analysis of these aims and delved into the underlying social philosophy issues. They then assessed the methods employed in Britain to achieve these objectives and provided commentary on those adopted in the USA and in some continental European countries. While the authors reject the extreme assertion that the welfare state has been a failure, they emphasize the need for a clearer alignment of certain policies with the core objectives. They propose several reform ideas that would involve a shift in emphasis and enable the simplification of existing overly complex arrangements.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032130880