Conceptualising state-market-family relationships in comparative research: a conceptual goodness view on defamilization

Hannah Zagel,Henning Lohmann

doi:10.1017/s0047279420000549

Abstract

AbstractThis study evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of defamilization as a concept for analysing state-market-family relationships in comparative perspective. A paradox has emerged around defamilization in the last decade; its use in empirical large-N research has grown markedly despite mounting criticism in theoretical discussions. Applying criteria of conceptual goodness, we find that the popularity of the concept is based on its high degree of parsimony, theoretical utility and field utility, but that there are problems with the resonance, coherence and differentiation of the concept. We argue that defamilization is most coherent and has greatest utility if the concept’s roots in welfare state theory are fully acknowledged. In our view, this means that defamilization is best understood a) alongside the separate concept of familization, b) as a multidimensional concept in terms of economic and social dependencies in family relationships, and c) as a means of addressing both gender and intergenerational dependencies. Although suitable for operationalization in empirical research, the concept hence imposes high demands regarding the required data and possible analyses.

Highlights

The state-market-family nexus, which is at the heart of welfare state theories, has been conceptualized in many different ways
We address a key question arising from this paradox of increasing popularity in empirical research despite overwhelming theoretical scepticism and ask: how good a concept is defamilization? Drawing on the literature on concept formation (Collier and Mahon, ; Gerring, ; Goertz, ; Sartori, ), we evaluate the conceptual goodness of defamilization, examine how the concept has been interpreted and applied, and propose a systematic approach to using it
We briefly introduce all of Gerring’s eight criteria of conceptual goodness and give a compact overview of how defamilization performs as a concept by revisiting its roots

Summary

Introduction

The state-market-family nexus, which is at the heart of welfare state theories, has been conceptualized in many different ways. While familization is often assumed to be the opposite of defamilization, many authors have pointed out that it is a complementary concept that refers to the degree of state support for care within the family

Results

Conclusion