The welfare state - part 3

• Maatschappijleer
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Comparing welfare states around the world

BASIC NECESSITIES

Who is responsible for meeting them?

government

market

civil

society

INCREASING LEVEL OF WELFARE

free-market economy

planned economy

Scandinavian Model

Flexicurity

What do you think 'flexicurity' refers to?

flexicurity

Flexible labour market.

Get rid of employees easily.

Get another job easily.

welfare

Retraining.

Generous welfare payments.

Low % unemployed.

example

96 weeks parental leave.

16 weeks in the Netherlands.

effects

- High tax.

+ More women work (good child benefits).

Anglo-Saxon Model

Good entrepreneurial climate

What is a 'good entrepreneurial climate'?

low social security

• self-sufficiency
• freedom
• private initiative

employment

• flexible labour market
• market sets wages
• dropping out is dangerous
  

example

• People work an average of 1,800 hours a year.
  
• 1,400 hours in the Netherlands.

effects

+ Low tax.

-/+ More private health and education for the rich.

- Less public investment.

Rhineland Model

Collective sector works well with government

What is the 'collective sector'?

collective sector

• trade unions
• cooperatives
  

employment

• benefits agreed between unions and government nationally
  
• administered by UVW (social security agency)
  
• workers well protected
  

example

• Pension based on time worked - not fair to women.
• Education and health not as strong as Scandinavia.
  

effects

- not enough money for the system.

- moving towards an Anglo-Saxon model.

+ Flexibility allows adaptation.

Assignment

• Rank the following countries on order of strongest to weakest welfare states. Give some examples that support your choices.
• Think about housing, work, health, free time/social contacts, education, government support, etc.
  
• Norway, USA, Japan, Indonesia, Cameroon