Abstract
This chapter analyzes the relationship between social justice and the welfare state from an institutional, social-structural, and attitudinal perspective. Drawing on David Miller’s distinction between equality, need, and merit and Gosta Esping-Andersen’s classification of social-democratic, liberal, and conservative welfare regimes, it elaborates (a) the differential emphasis welfare states give to core principles of social justice, (b) the extent to which they realize these principles through their programs and policies, (c) and what their citizens regard as just. Social-democratic welfare states stand out as distinctly egalitarian through a universal approach to social rights, low levels of poverty and inequality, and a strong egalitarianism of their citizenry. Liberal welfare states, by contrast, focus on meeting basic needs via targeted social policies, thus exhibiting high levels of poverty and inequality while citizens’ orientations display a pronounced liberalism. Conservative welfare regimes rely on social insurances to relate social benefits and contributions in a meritocratic way, involving medium levels of poverty and inequality and solid welfare state support. The concluding section discusses whether public understandings of social justice have changed in conjunction with major welfare state reforms that have occurred throughout the OECD and considers the implications for the future of the welfare state.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.