Welfare Policy Research Articles

The Quest for Sentience: from Crustaceans to Plants

Although the use of the term “sentience” in philosophy dates to the 17th century, its use expanded particularly in the second half of the 20th century, with the emergence of non-anthropocentric ethics. A search for sentience in the animal kingdom began, which required the identification of a set of evidential sources. The difficulty in establishing, beyond any reasonable doubt, the existence of sentience in animals more distantly related to humans, and the consequences that the matter has for the legislation on animal protection, led to the proposal to apply the precautionary principle in animal welfare policy. This principle establishes that the fulfilment of minimum criteria is enough for the existence of sentience to be admitted. This led to the attribution of sentience to invertebrates, namely molluscs, insects, and crustaceans. As a result, the possibility of including decapod crustaceans into animal legislation is currently discussed. In this article, we will perform the comparative exercise of applying a framework of minimum criteria of sentience, previously applied to crustaceans of the order Decapoda, to vascular plants. The framework is composed of eight independent criteria and the likelihood of plants meeting each of them will be assessed and discussed in the light of the existing empirical evidence.

The comparative politics of solidarity: Political party discourse across three welfare state regimes

AbstractParty political conflict plays an essential role in shaping welfare policies, while they are simultaneously also shaped by these policies. As political parties grapple with the wicked challenges of our times, new forms of solidarity and solidarity conflicts arise across welfare regimes. Despite their significance, these dynamics have not received much recent attention. Our article aims to fill this gap. Through content analysis of party manifestos, we compare the solidarity frames of political parties within and between three distinct welfare regimes—Flanders (Belgium), Sweden, and the United States. Our results confirm our expectations drawn from political feedback literature: while party ideology influences parties' solidarity frame preferences and solidarity conflicts between parties, these preferences and conflicts are also influenced by a welfare regime's societal solidarity norms. Our article highlights the value of analyzing solidarity frames and political solidarity conflicts within welfare‐state regimes to better understand welfare politics and policies.Related ArticlesKönig, Pascal D. 2015. “Moral Societal Renewal or Getting the Country Back to Work: Welfare State Culture as a Resource and a Constraint for Policy Discourse.” Politics & Policy 43(5): 647–78. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12130.Mioni, Michele, 2021. “The ‘Good Citizen’ as a ‘Respectable Worker:’ State, Unemployment, and Social Policy in the United Kingdom and Italy, 1930 to 1950.” Politics & Policy 49(4): 913–39. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12425.Wagle, Udaya R. 2014. “The Heterogeneity Politics of the Welfare State: Changing Population Heterogeneity and Welfare State Policies in High‐Income OECD Countries, 1980‐2005.” Politics & Policy 41(6): 947–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12053.

What causes polarized stagnation, corporate economy, or welfare state?: Insights from new development economics

AbstractThis study explores polarized economic stagnation from the perspective of a capitalist corporate economy. It introduces two institutional policy paradigms: economic differentiation (ED) and economic egalitarianism (EE). ED‐friendly “market democracy” promotes shared growth, whereas EE‐friendly “egalitarian democracy” leads to polarized stagnation. The corporate economy is portrayed as the epitome of the ED institution leading shared growth, whereas the redistributive welfare state based on EE institutions could bring polarized stagnation. Empirical analysis tests these hypotheses and discovers that the world's polarized stagnation may be linked to “welfare policy under egalitarian democracy” rather than “corporate growth under market democracy” as commonly thought.

Cross-class solidarity in times of crisis: the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on support for redistribution

This study investigates how the economic crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic impacted support for social assistance in Germany. We formulate our expectations drawing from the classical political economy literature on self-interest and the burgeoning research on the role of solidarity. On the one hand, we hypothesize that only low-income individuals impacted economically by COVID-19, who can benefit from social assistance, will support its expansion. On the other hand, we expect higher-income individuals affected economically by COVID-19 to be more supportive of social assistance, even though they do not benefit from it, and less likely to consider welfare recipients ‘undeserving’ compared to higher-income individuals not economically affected by the pandemic. We argue that first-hand crisis experiences update people’s beliefs about how luck impacts one’s economic situation in the presence of an exogenous shock. We combine observational and experimental data from an original survey collected in Germany in April 2021 to test our expectations. On average, low-income respondents appear to be the most vigorous supporters of social assistance, but their support is not conditional on their experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, we find that the support for more social assistance among affluent individuals depends on the economic impact of the pandemic. We experimentally manipulated the deservingness of welfare recipients and found that better-off respondents impacted by the pandemic were less likely to penalize even the most ‘undeserving’ welfare beneficiaries. We suggest that solidarity between classes in hard times may occur through a convergence of the deservingness perception among individuals. The article has broader implications for studying the effect of crises on solidarity and the conditional nature of class-based explanations for support for different welfare policies.

Calibrating families: Data behaviourism and the new algorithmic logic

Abstract Family intervention is a long-established mechanism of state control, but recent technological developments are facilitating new regulatory capacities and objectives. This paper will explore how contemporary welfare policy interventions in the UK are converging around a technological solutionist ideology that centres family relationships as core instruments of social management. The last decade has seen a marked techno-administrative turn, with family/state relationships increasingly mediated through online portals and dashboards. Over the last few years this data-centric model has accelerated towards an algorithmic approach to governance through the incorporation of big data surveillance, predictive analytics and behavioural interventions to monitor and socially engineer populations. In this paper we draw on policy analysis and freedom of information requests to trace the embedding of data collection frameworks into apparently conventional family intervention programmes in the UK, and show how this “datification” was made into a core delivery tool. We also highlight how secrecy, or at the very least strategic silence, has restricted public knowledge of how and why data is being collected and used in the UK. We show how parents and children are being quantified and translated into datapoints to support new logics of choice manipulation, ceding unprecedented power to financiers, data analytic and social marketing companies, platform developers and big tech industries. The resulting financialization of family welfare services tracks the contours of longstanding social divisions, reconfiguring and in many cases compounding the injustices of race, class and gender. This algorithmic calibration of children and parents is extending the regulatory powers of the state far beyond previous efforts to govern and control poor families, with under-explored consequences for the principles of democracy and justice.

고령사회 노인문화정책의 변화 고찰 및 과제

In 2025, South Korea is projected to enter a super-aged society with 20.6% of its population aged 65 and older. The Baby Boomer generation, which will constitute a significant portion of this aged society, values cultural needs, independence, and the identity of being a free and active participant in society. Thus, understanding the characteristics of an aging society and the new senior is essential, and policy responses based on this understanding are necessary. This study explains the policy lag phenomenon in cultural policies for an aging society, based on Thomas Kuhn's paradigm theory and the path dependency theory of new institutionalism. It demonstrates that the cultural policies for an aging society have not adequately responded to the aging population, using the low birth rate and aging society policies and senior cultural programs as case studies. The study found that society has shifted to an aging society centered on the Baby Boomer generation, which has high cultural activity demands. Despite the shift in social paradigms, the transition from senior policies to the “Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society” did not prioritize the fulfillment of cultural needs, but rather continued to focus primarily on employment policies, as seen in previous welfare policies. It was difficult to find policies implemented from the perspective of cultural activities for seniors in the first Basic Plan, and even in the second and third supplementary plans, the emphasis was predominantly on senior employment. Additionally, the budget for the representative senior cultural policy, the Senior Culture Program, decreased steadily from approximately 4.6 billion KRW in 2016 to 2.5 billion KRW in 2022, with the number of programs reducing from 391 in 2016 to 163 in 2023. This study, which highlights the changes in an aging society and the current state of senior cultural policies, can be used to develop policies that enhance the quality of life in an aging society. Moreover, it suggests the need for more detailed research to create more segmented cultural policies that address specific age groups and genders, rather than policies targeting everyone aged 65 and older as a single group.

Keamanan Manusia dalam Perdagangan Manusia: Analisis Peran IOM Menangani Human Trafficking

Abstract The most crucial thing about human trafficking is that the activity does not disappear and even continues to show increasing numbers of victims. Handling cannot be carried out only by the government or by state officials but requires comprehensive handling from all levels of society. This research aims to highlight the role of an organization in dealing with these problems using a human security approach. Descriptively and qualitatively the facts are analyzed and produce several conclusions: a). efforts to help, defend, rescue based on existing laws which are more outward in nature, but also on efforts to implement human rights values ​​from within. Apart from being an ethical basis, human values ​​are also implemented in every action. b). The problem of human trafficking cannot be separated from structural dimensions such as the fulfillment of welfare, justice and development policies which influence all dimensions of human livelihood. c). The best prevention is through education, providing employment opportunities, welfare and the most important thing is to provide a sense of security for all citizens.

His unemployment, her response, and the moderating role of welfare policies in European countries. Results from a preregistered study.

Recent changes in labour markets have increased employment instability. Under these conditions, in male breadwinner families women might increase their labour supply when their male partners become unemployed. Previous studies have extensively investigated the role played by household and individual characteristics in explaining such increases in the labour supply of women. However, studies which examine the moderating role of specific welfare policies are missing. Our study contributes to the literature by investigating the moderating effect of childcare and tax-benefit policies for the labour supply response of women following the unemployment of their partner. We focus on a sample of 24 EU member states and the UK, during the period 2009-2019, combining longitudinal microdata from EU-SILC with country-period specific policy indicators generated with the use of the tax-benefit simulation model EUROMOD, UKMOD and country-period specific indicators of childcare use. We find that women indeed respond to men's unemployment by increasing their labour supply though the response is fairly weak. We also find the response is not restricted by having children at home or availability of public childcare and does not depend on the generosity of unemployment benefits. It is, however, negatively affected by marginal tax rates.

Health Care Problems of Unmarried Women in Rural Areas: A Study in Chidambaram Area, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu

Rural women are among the most marginalized groups in Indian society. Many welfare policies are being launched and executed in favour of rural women, who have historically been marginalized. Despite these efforts, rural women continue to be affected by various issues, particularly poor health, which is linked to their productivity and human capital. In this regard, the WHO states that "better health is central to human happiness and well-being. It also makes an important contribution to economic progress, as a healthy population lives longer, is more productive, and saves more." Rural women have limited access to and opportunities to utilize health care policies. Through our study, we intended to assess the perceptions of unmarried women regarding health-care-seeking behaviour related to problems during menstruation. In this study, 300 unmarried women aged 15–35 were selected as the sample. Although the schedules were administered to all 300 women selected in the sample villages for this study, the data were collected from the respondents using a well-structured interview schedule. The association between the health problems at various levels reported by the women in the study area and their socio-economic and demographic variables was analysed using the chi-square test. The major health problems reported by respondents in the study area were analysed with regard to the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the women. Abdominal pain, profuse bleeding, irregular periods, breast tenderness, painful menstruation, leg pain/backache, headache/vomiting sensation, and white discharge were the major problems reported by the women in the study area. To assess the health problems of women during menstruation, unmarried women were considered for further analysis.

Generating "Différance" or an Ontology That Is Same Old Same Old Comment on "The Generative Mechanisms of Financial Strain and Financial Well-Being: A Critical Realist Analysis of Ideology and Difference"

Glenn and colleagues carefully conducted a realist review of initiatives introduced in high-income countries intended to improve financial well-being (FWB) or reduce financial strain (FS) during the early days of the pandemic. They found that these initiatives were underpinned by either neoliberal or social equity ideologies, within which, social location acted on different groups. In this commentary, we suggest caution in applying labels such as neoliberalism and social equity when lumping social welfare policies; labour policies; housing and financial services policies; and service provision for health, seniors, childcare, and education across welfare state regimes. We also caution against aggregating equity-deserving groups from different contexts into a single otherness. We suggest a pragmatic reinterpretation of the study’s findings and in future examinations of post-pandemic recovery in accordance with long-standing pragmatic methods of working in public health that seek to improve population health and well-being through collective action.

Identifying the factors affecting social welfare in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam today

In the era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, with appropriate socio-economic development policies, the economy of Vietnam in general, and Dong Nai Province in particular, has overcome difficult periods and achieved significant growth rates. This has led to a remarkable improvement in social welfare policies, contributing significantly to enhancing both the material and spiritual well-being of the community. This not only yields positive outcomes in ensuring the welfare of the people but also contributes to political stability and promotes economic growth. Therefore, identifying the factors affecting social welfare in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam today, and proposing solutions to leverage opportunities and overcome challenges in ensuring social welfare in the province, holds both theoretical and practical significance.

Effect of Universal Credit on young children’s mental health: quasi-experimental evidence from understanding society

BackgroundChild mental health has become an increasingly important issue in the UK, especially in the context of significant welfare reforms. Universal Credit (UC) has introduced substantial changes to the UK’s...

Research on the Current Situation of Gender Inequality in China-From a Female Perspective

The rise of feminism has prompted more and more people in the world to pay attention to the issue of gender equality. In China, which has a large population, this issue has also become very prominent. This paper studies the current situation of inequality in China from women‘s perspective, and analyzes the current situation and reasons of inequality mainly from three aspects: workplace, education and family. The causes are analyzed from three perspectives: history, social welfare policies and family. The influence of Confucianism and patriarchal society on women, the neglect and lack of implementation of some bills of rights for women and the influence of family on women are the main causes. Corresponding solutions are proposed to address the existing phenomena. The government needs to improve women‘s employment and maternity leave policies and strengthen the family subsidies for women, innovate the pension insurance system and marital property system, and raise the social awareness of affirmative action. Equality between men and women was essential for the advancement of women and the development of society.

Meta-analysis of welfare policy on “food security”: an Indian case (1990–2021)

Meta-analysis of welfare policy on “food security”: an Indian case (1990–2021)

How Employee Well-being Mediates the Relationship between Employee Experience and Work Engagement?

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of employee experience on work engagement. A questionnaire consisting of both open-ended and multiple-choice items was administered to 308 respondents working in seven main insurance companies operating in Turkey. Employee experience is divided into three dimensions: the perceived importance of managers, work meaningfulness, and career-focused experience. According to the results of this study, employee experience has an important effect on work engagement. Employee well-being partially mediates the relationship between employee experience and work engagement. The importance of the research is that it shows that employee experience practices and welfare policies implemented by companies will ultimately result in work engagement. We emphasize the importance of providing employees with a positive experience throughout their journey, from recruitment to post-employment, as it leads to positive outcomes at both an individual and organizational level.

Assessing the Relationship between Political Financing and Policy Bias in B40 Welfare Policies during COVID-19

This conceptual paper delves into the intricate relationship between political financing and policy bias in the implementation of welfare policies for the B40 (Below 40 is the 40% of the total population that earns the lowest tier of household income compared to the first group of T20-Top 20% and second category M40-Middle 40%) cluster in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The B40 cluster comprises the most economically vulnerable segment of the population residing in public housing (the heavily subsidized government-owned residential areas for underprivileged citizens with certain household income categories). This study aims to unravel how political financing influences the formulation and execution of welfare policies, potentially leading to bias in resource allocation and support provision. Through an exhaustive review of existing scholarly literature and analysis of pertinent case studies, this paper embarks on examining the degree to which political financing impacts the decision-making process concerning welfare policies. The analysis focuses on identifying potential biases in policy formulation that may favor the interests of political entities providing financial backing to policymakers. Furthermore, the study also explores the implications of such biases on the equitable distribution of resources to the B40 cluster during the global COVID-19 crisis. The conceptual framework employed in this paper draws from theories of political economy, corruption, and public policy. By dissecting the extant body of literature, the paper aims to offer a nuanced comprehension of the dynamics between political financing and policy bias in the realm of welfare policies for the B40 cluster. The eventual findings are poised to enrich the theoretical understanding of the influence exerted by political financing on the formulation and execution of welfare policies, particularly during periods of global crisis. By identifying policy biases stemming from political financing, this study aspires to catalyze critical discussions on the imperative of transparent and accountable decision-making processes. Such deliberations are vital to ensuring the fair and effective implementation of welfare policies for the B40 cluster in Kuala Lumpur amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper thus serves as a clarion call for enhanced governance mechanisms and institutional reforms to uphold the principles of fairness, equity, and social justice in welfare policy formulation and implementation. This study contributes to the existing literature by shedding light on the nexus between political financing and policy bias in the context of welfare policies for vulnerable populations. It underscores the importance of addressing systemic flaws in governance and decision-making processes to mitigate the adverse effects of political influence on welfare policy outcomes. Moreover, the findings of this study have practical implications for policymakers, advocacy groups, civil society organizations and other stakeholders involved in shaping welfare policy agendas and advocating for reform initiatives. In conclusion, this paper calls for a concerted effort to promote transparency, accountability, and integrity in the formulation and implementation of welfare policies. By fostering a culture of ethical governance and democratic participation, policymakers can ensure that welfare programs serve the interests of the most vulnerable members of society and contribute to equitable and sustainable development outcomes.

Domestic Migrant Well-Being Orientations in Policy in a Developing Country (India): A Reflection

This article reflects on domestic migrant well-being orientations in policy in a developing country—India. Well-being has been conceptualized in many different ways, both in scholarly and practitioner literature. Given the lack of consensus on the well-being construct in general and especially so for domestic migrants, this study conceptualizes domestic migrant well-being in terms of three key dimensions—economic, sociocultural and health—and reflects on well-being orientations in policy in pre-COVID years and thereafter. The three-dimensional approach shows domestic migrant well-being in policy is more geared towards the economic relative to the sociocultural and health dimensions in the developing country context of India. This article also observes gaps and issues vis-à-vis standards recommended by global bodies. While the article commends the need to prioritize economic well-being, it also reflects on the current scope for improvement on all three dimensions and suggests measures to further strengthen the same.

Assessing Sustainable Development in Community Welfare and Economic Resilience to Extreme Weather in Indonesia

In recent decades, Indonesia has experienced a surge in natural disasters, resulting in increased casualties and disruptions to economic growth and welfare. This study investigates the impact of various types of natural disasters, focusing on how economic growth (measured by provincial GDP) and welfare levels (measured by the Human Development Index, HDI) influence the number of victims affected by extreme weather. Data on gross regional domestic product and the Human Development Index for each province in Indonesia were obtained from Statistics Indonesia. We employed multivariable negative binomial regression to analyze the relationships between the number of victims affected by extreme weather, provincial HDI, and provincial GDP. The results indicate significant correlations between provincial GDP, HDI, and the number of victims. Higher HDI correlates with fewer victims, whereas higher GDP is associated with an increase in victims. Additionally, we used the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) method, identifying two clusters as the optimal model. Cluster 1 comprises 31 provinces, while Cluster 2 comprises 3 provinces, with the latter highlighting the provinces with the highest disaster risk. Consequently, provinces such as West Java, Central Java, and East Java require heightened attention from various stakeholders involved in disaster management efforts. By examining these relationships, our study contributes to the understanding of sustainable development and resilience against natural disasters. It underscores the importance of improving welfare and economic policies to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.

Offering protection to immigrant youths in America: Is asylum or Special Immigrant Juvenile Status truly in the best interest of the child?

AbstractIn the United States (US), children's ‘best interest’ principles are central to child welfare policy, but their incorporation into immigration laws is less robust. Drawing on data from international and domestic policies, interviews with legal professionals and legal guidelines, we compare how Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) and asylum – the main forms of immigration relief for undocumented youths in the US – align with children's best interest principles. SIJS, while promising, undermines family integrity by imposing rigid child‐rearing standards that may penalize immigrant families. Asylum upholds family integrity, but the application process involves intense interviews and strict evidentiary standards that harm youths’ well‐being. Given asylum's high denial rates, the process often results in trauma without much promise of the permanency asylum can offer. Consequently, both SIJS and asylum fall short of protecting children's rights and best interests. We argue that how legal systems manage youths significantly affects youths’ well‐being and their access to rights and benefits. The impact of legal processes on youths should be paramount to best interest policies and practices. We conclude with policy recommendations for SIJS and asylum that better promote children's best interests.

Homeownership through asnaf home financing in Malaysia: an empirical investigation

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine asnafs’ acceptance of home financing in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach This work developed and introduced the maqasid theory of consumer behaviour (MTCB) to examine the effects of educational programmes, mortgage welfare, consumer justice and Islamic debt policy on receptiveness. Data analysis involving 733 respondents was conducted using partial least squares (PLS), where SmartPLS4.0 software comes into play. Findings In the core model, the effects of the MTCB’s variables helped shape the development of asnaf home financing acceptance. Research limitations/implications This study was based on quantitative data and geographical constraints. Practical implications The findings provide valuable inputs for the Joint Committee Body (JCB), combining Islamic banks and State Islamic Religious Councils to develop action plans for improving the facility offered. Social implications This work functioned as a social benchmark for improving Islamic home financing that includes asnafs’ homeownership. Originality/value A new conceptual framework for asnaf home financing drawn from MTCB is developed in the context of asnafs’ homeownership.