Ten worlds of welfare regimes

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the different models of welfare state systems. Harold L. Wilensky and Charles N. Lebeaux distinguished between an ideal-typical residual and an ideal-typical institutional model of welfare state. The main difference between ideal-typical and real-typical studies is level of abstraction. That is, ideal-typical theories and studies view welfare state systems from high above, while real-typical studies are, by their function, and very own logic, viewing welfare state systems from a comparatively low altitude. To construct ideal-typical welfare regimes or welfare models, in general, is more difficult, due to the abstraction needed to be correct, not too much, not too less, and the focus on key vital elements of each welfare regime model. As with all welfare regimes, there is a combination of particular traits that marks the Social Democratic Welfare Regime, which include universalism in social insurance provision for the most part, as well as a strong emphasis on individualism across different social policy fields, and so on.