Search results

Decentralization of the Spanish welfare state has stimulated regional policy innovation. A 'demonstration effect' among all Spanish Comunidades Auto´nomas has so far acted as a policy equalizer. In Andalusia, where a strong sense of common identity is widely shared, the regional government (Junta) has implemented new welfare policies which have contributed to consolidate its institutional legitimacy. This article reviews the process of decentralization in Spain. It concentrates on the 'catching up' quest articulated by Andalusia to gain a similar status and degree of autonomy as those achieved by the 'historical nationalities' (Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia). ; Peer reviewed

The issue of welfare receipt by immigrants is highly controversial across Europe. In this paper, we assess whether immigrants are more likely to receive welfare payments relative to natives across a range of European countries. Using the European Union Survey on Income and Living Conditions for 2007, we find very little evidence that immigrants are indeed more likely to receive such payments when all payments are considered together. This is true whether we use raw data or regression analysis in which we control for relevant characteristics. We do find evidence of higher rates of poverty among immigrants. When combined with the results on welfare receipt, this raises a question over the effectiveness of welfare systems in protecting immigrants from poverty across Europe.

The new theory of governance represents strong analogies with proposals that are beginning to dominate thinking about welfare states. In both cases, experts argue that the complexity of the modern world is forcing states to limit their field of action & enter into action networks with private sector partners. Demonstrated here is how (1) the functionalism inherent in this approach inhibits correctly accounting for welfare states' development & (2) proposals for good governance err by being too simplistic & underestimating states' inherited institutions & standards. 32 References. Adapted from the source document.

Compared to other rich Western democracies, the United States historically has done less to help its citizens adapt to the uncertainties of life in a market economy. Nor does the immediate future seem to promise anything different. In Welfare As We Know It, Charles Noble offers a groundbreaking explanation of why America is so different, arguing that deeply rooted political factors, not public opinion, have limited what social reformers have been able to accomplish

This article provides the context for the Special Issue. It outlines the differential eligibility for welfare rights experienced by people with varying citizenship statuses and notes the increasing exclusion and marginalization of asylum seekers in European countries of asylum. In this article, we also examine the robustness of the arguments that have been used to justify the curtailment of welfare in some European countries; namely, that welfare acts as a magnet for asylum seekers. Linked to this is the use of asylum seekers as a political tool. We also explore the consequences of this which include racism and xenophobia. Finally, the article outlines the themes arising from the contributions in the Special Issue.

Paper presented at the Seminar on 'Devolution and Public Policy', ECPR Standing Group on Regionalism, University of Edinburgh, 22-3, October 2004. Published in: Regional and Federal Studies, 15 (4), 519-535, Dec. 2005 ; Decentralization of the Spanish welfare state has stimulated regional policy innovation. A 'demonstration effect' among all Spanish Comunidades Autónomas has so far acted as a policy equalizer. In Andalusia, where a strong sense of common identity is widely shared, the regional government (Junta) has implemented new welfare policies which have contributed to consolidate its institutional legitimacy. This paper reviews the process of decentralization in Spain. It concentrates on the 'catching up' quest articulated by Andalusia to gain a similar status and degree of autonomy as those achieved by the 'historical nationalities' (Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia). ; Peer reviewed

Gender and Welfare State Regimes focuses on the interrelationships between aspects of the welfare state and labour market policies in structuring and transforming gender relations across a broad spectrum of countries. The book argues that policy variation across the countries surveyed can be attributed to a variety of factors, including differing strategies and demands of the women's movements, the organisational strength of labour movements and industrialrelations frameworks, the constellation of parties supporting equality measure, traditional values and state structures.

Drawing on the results of a recently completed ESRC research project, this article advances three principal arguments. First, unprecedented social polarization in Britain and other liberal democracies in the last quarter of the 20th century now constitute poverty and wealth as socially constructed forms of exclusion from the realm of 'ordinary' citizenship. Second, that as the welfare state gives way to what has been characterized as the 'risk society', poverty and wealth as symbolic spectres now bear upon the quotidian anxieties and desires of virtually all citizens— whether they be poor, rich or 'comfortable'. Third, that discourses of cit izenship and popular values tend to draw on conflicting sets of traditions and moral repertoires; an insight which helps explain the ambiguity of political debate and social attitudes concerning the welfare state.

Pro-'workfare' governments justify their policies by claiming 'workfare' helps enhance self-esteem and promote the dignity of unemployed recipients. On the other hand, welfare activists argue that 'workfare' suppresses the dignity of unemployed persons. This book examines the concept of human dignity in this context and attempts to clarify its meaning

It is useful to distinguish between exogenous and endogenous factors behind contemporary and expected future problems for the welfare state. This paper tries to identify major problems of both types and to indicate alternative reform possibilities to deal with them. At the same time as several governments struggle with such reforms, new demands on the welfare state emerge. Although the basic structure of today's welfare-state arrangements certainly can be kept, the reforms required are sufficiently large to create considerable conflicts across interest groups.