1. What is a welfare state?
The welfare state p

2. Learning goals You are be able to:
mention the definition of a welfare state.
mention the four functions of a welfare state and recognize the functions in a given context.
mention the social basic rights (and duties) and recognize them in a given context.
compare and contrast three economic systems of planned economy, free market and mixed economy.
compare and contrast three models of welfare state (Anglo Saxon, Rhineland and Scandanavian model).
give your opinion about the welfare state.

3. Welfare state
The government plays an active role in ensuring the welfare and well-being of its people. > Main focus on: (Health)care Education Social security

4. Central idea: Sharing the risks
Welfare states developed in some countries:
Rule of law > Democracy > Free Enterprise in a Mixed Economy > Welfare state
( Tony Benn)
It’s a collective interest to share the risks.
The government organises this and enforces solidarity.

5. Four functions of the welfare state:
Insurance function (verzekeren)
Care function (verzorgen)
Improvement function (verheffen, empowerment)
Bonding function (verbinden)

6. Rights and duties
The government should obey the law and strive to provide for:
employment
social security
healthy environment
public health and adequate housing
education.
Duties for citizens are to obey the law and pay taxes and premiums (‘premies’) for benefits.

7. Three economic systems
ALTERNATIVE ECONOMY FREE ENTERPRISE
PRIVATE SECTOR
COLLECTIVE SECTOR
PLANNED
ECONOMY
MIXED ECONOMY FREE MARKET
ECONOMY

8. Three Economic systems
Planned Economy:
State ownership of the means of production and the government distributes the work to be done. Example: Sovjet Union communism. Main value: equality.
Free Market Economy:
The government does not take an active role in the economy. Private enterprise is everything. Example: this exists no where. Main value: freedom.
Mixed Economy:
Free enterprise but the government sets boundaries for market forces and interferes in the economy. Example: NL, US. Main values: freedom and equality.

9. For the nuance…
* There is another economic system that doesn’t fit the scheme in slide 6 and that is Anarchism. Anarchists want a small scale alternative economy without a government and without private property. All means of production should be collective.

10. Three types of welfare state
The Scandinavian welfare state The Anglo-Saxon welfare state The Rhineland (or corporatist) welfare state

11. Scandinavian model welfare state
Rhineland model welfare state
Anglo Saxon model welfare state
Main focus
Flexicurity
Social security
Self sufficient, private initiative
Regulation labour market
Flexibel labour market
Level of social security
Strong social security, investment in employability
Tax burden
High
Women’s participation in labour market
Relatively high