Are there still “welfare states” with the only difference being that they are no longer the exclusive bailiwick of the pedigreed liberal democracies of the West? I am inquiring about the highly administrative state that is engaged in improving the general welfare of the populace by instituting different types of social policies. I know that in the 1990s some liberal democracies started privatizing a number of state-run industries, figuring that they would be run more effectively in private hands; however, this question deals with social welfare policies like providing free health care, childcare, free public education, retirement benefits, etc.. Is this kind of welfare state “history”? Or do welfare states still exist someplace in the world?
Gwen
Dear Gwendolyn, I think the answer is "yes", there are still some welfare states that exist, although probably all of them are under pressure. Esping Anderson distinguishes three types of Welfare States: the Scaninavian type (tax-based distribution from the richt to the poor), the conservative type (based on taxes and fees on labour - Germany, Austria, France) and the liberal type (providing only basic services - UK). Scandinavian countries and some of the conservative types can still be regarded as functioning welfare states, while especially Germany has experienced strong cuts in the social system - paradoxically under the Social Democrat Gerhard Schroeder and his Agenda 2010 (New Labour or the Third Way in the sense of Anthony Giddens). Scandinavian countries and Austria are under pressure concerning their pension systems, but in general they still work quite well...
I live in Denmark, a Scandinavian type welfare state. Danes used to be proud of this welfare model which has worked very well, but as Markus Pausch says, it is under pressure from international economic competition. The strong economic pressure is evidenced by the fact that even socialist politicians are cutting down on welfare now, knowing that this will cost them their reelection because those who voted for them want welfare. Politicians of all colors here claim that they want to preserve the welfare system, while at the same time argueing for free trade, economic liberalism and deregulation. They pretend that there is no conflict between welfare state and neoliberalist politics even though the country is evidently taking part in the "race to the bottom".
Honestly, Agner and Markus, this is just too depressing for words. With our Government here in the U.S. actually in the 4th day of a shut down because "Obamacare" will offer our citizens the baseline health care that has been a staple for years in civilized Western society, I am at my wit's end. I am actually at a loss for emotions. In fact, I am too distraught to even continue with this post .... I guess I've just spent too much time in Scandinavia (with my Swedish husband) and expect too much compassion for the have-not's from the have's.
Gwen :>(
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