Assessing the Structure of Small Welfare States
Contributors: Geoff Bertram
Series Title: Social Policies in Small States Series
Number within series: 4
Publication date: 15 March 2011
Size:
240mm x 164mm
ISBN: 978-1-84929-050-0
Pages: 32
SOCIAL POLICIES IN SMALL STATES SERIES
The country case studies and thematic papers in this series examine social policy issues facing small states and the implications for economic development. They show how, despite their inherent vulnerability, some small states have been successful in improving their social indicators because of the complementary social and economic policies they have implemented.
THEMATIC PAPER – THE WELFARE STATE
Historically, the welfare state evolved as the most efficient policy response to caring for a large, homogeneous population. This traditional model, however, loses importance as population size falls below 3-4 million, especially for states where a significant number of the population migrate and send remittances home, and where the country is the recipient of overseas aid. Facilitating the international mobility of people therefore becomes central to social policy and insofar as the welfare state occurs, it tends to be focused on the labour market.
This paper examines how the characteristics of small states influence their pursuit of a welfare state. Many of the small states discussed have not previously featured in mainstream thinking about the relationship between country size and the extent of the welfare state.
The country case studies and thematic papers in this series examine social policy issues facing small states and the implications for economic development. They show how, despite their inherent vulnerability, some small states have been successful in improving their social indicators because of the complementary social and economic policies they have implemented.
THEMATIC PAPER – THE WELFARE STATE
Historically, the welfare state evolved as the most efficient policy response to caring for a large, homogeneous population. This traditional model, however, loses importance as population size falls below 3-4 million, especially for states where a significant number of the population migrate and send remittances home, and where the country is the recipient of overseas aid. Facilitating the international mobility of people therefore becomes central to social policy and insofar as the welfare state occurs, it tends to be focused on the labour market.
This paper examines how the characteristics of small states influence their pursuit of a welfare state. Many of the small states discussed have not previously featured in mainstream thinking about the relationship between country size and the extent of the welfare state.
Contents
Foreword
1. Introduction
2. Defining and Characterising the Welfare State
3. Classifications of Welfare States
4. Welfare States and Globalisation
5. The Influence of Openness on the Modus Operandi of a Small Welfare State
6. Institutional Governance in Welfare States
7. Conclusions
Appendix: Quantitative Indicators Relating to the Welfare State in Small States
References
1. Introduction
2. Defining and Characterising the Welfare State
3. Classifications of Welfare States
4. Welfare States and Globalisation
5. The Influence of Openness on the Modus Operandi of a Small Welfare State
6. Institutional Governance in Welfare States
7. Conclusions
Appendix: Quantitative Indicators Relating to the Welfare State in Small States
References
About the contributor
Geoff Bertram (Author)
Geoff Bertram is a Senior Associate, Institute of Policy Studies at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.Browse subjects
- Agriculture Expand or collapse me
- Democracy and elections Expand or collapse me
- Debt and finance policy
- Economic development
- Education, gender and health Expand or collapse me
- Law and human rights Expand or collapse me
- Oceans and natural resources Expand or collapse me
- Public administration and governance Expand or collapse me
- Small states Expand or collapse me
- Sport for development and peace
- Taxation
- Trade Expand or collapse me
- Youth policy
