The origins and diversities of European welfare states

Résumé du document

Looking at the definition quoted by G.Esping-Andersden, the Welfare State seems to be a really simple thing: "it involves state responsibility for securing some basic modicum of welfare for citizens". However, the welfare state corresponds to numerous realities across the world. The welfare state developed first in Europe. Indeed, in the 19th century Europe was the economic and political leader in the world. European countries were modern states which had to diffuse their model of nation-state providing public education, health and social security to citizens, through the whole world and mainly beside the United States. The model that these states promoted was not unique at that time even if it had some common origins.

The modern Welfare State knew its take-off in the late 19th century. More precisely while Italy and Germany were unifying. In Europe, the 19th century was the one of industrialism, mass democracy; culmination of the European nation-state, population and economic growth, and therefore the first development of social insurance in Europe was a real success.

Extraits

[...] *Redistribution: Growth in public welfare services and establishment of social security systems for an equalization of economic conditions and social rights. Evolution of the welfare state. This analysis is very important as far as causes of welfare system‘s diversity are concerned. Indeed, with this theory, S. Rokkan teaches us several lessons. First those institutional variations among welfare states come from varying experiences and results of state formation, nation- building and evolution of mass democracy. Second that there was a different timing in the creation of institutions which organize today's welfare systems. [...]

[...] II/ Diversity of European welfare states. Is a classification possible? Esping-Andersen's work In 2002, Esping Andersen's work was said by Will Art and John Gelissen to be a very appropriate typology of welfare regimes. However it has been criticized on some points because of a need to be revised or because of theoretical and methodological shortcomings. His work is based on T. Marshall's studies which have been quoted above, and on R.Tittmus's first definition of three distinguished models of social policies in European countries. [...]

[...] Today, European welfare states must face challenges. As Peter Flora explains, there is a necessity for a new contract between generation because of the ageing of the population, also for a new contract between sexes because of the changing sexual division of labour, and finally a new contract between the state and the citizen due to the change of values and as more and more people are turning to private insurance. These evolutions will be certainly supported by European populations who continue to praise welfare state even if it costs a lost and despite a new conservative interpretation of the state's role. [...]

[...] The equality is of the highest standard and it is financed by income tax and VAT. strata are incorporated under one universal insurance system but benefits are graduated according to accustomed earnings. The social democratic regime's policy of emancipation addresses both the market and the family. It permits individual independence.” There is a direct responsibility of the state for caring of children, old, helpless, and allow women to choose work rather than the household. Only bemol, this model is committed to a full- employment guarantee. [...]

[...] Therefore studying this parameter could be a good way for the author to establish a picture of welfare states' diversity. It seems firstly that assistance systems stigmatize its beneficiaries. As in the poor relief tradition, giving assistance to the poorest only is a way to punish them as it shows them like the ones who did not succeed to obtain a financial independence. Then, E.Andersden shows that social insurance systems imply a division among wage earner through legislating programmes for different class and status groups. [...]