Theory lecture �Welfare

Period 4

Local level

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Contents of lecture

• The welfare state defined.

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• Brief history of the Dutch welfare state.

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• The 3 pillars of the welfare state.

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• Responsibilities of the municipality (in relation to welfare state).

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• Liberal versus social democratic welfare state.

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Lesson goal: a better understanding of the theory concerned with case Welfare.

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!!! It is advised to make notes during the lecture !!!

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The welfare state defined

A government that is actively involved with the wealth and wellbeing of the population.

• The core of a welfare state is �that of mutual solidarity: when �there is willingness within a �society to share individual risks �in matters of wealth and �well-being.

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• Through this the vulnerable people in�society (poor, sick, elderly, etc.) are �protected.

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Why is mutual solidarity required in a welfare state?

History of the Dutch welfare state�

Nachtwakersstaat - First half 19^th century:

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• Free market principle; labour legislation, such as rules for minimum wage didn’t exist.
• Needed help? Charity of rich citizens, or the church.
• Social support was considered a favour, not a fundamental right.

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From ‘Nachtwakersstaat’ to welfare state

History of the Dutch welfare state�

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From ‘Nachtwakersstaat’ to welfare state

History of the Dutch welfare state�

Second half of the 19^th century:

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• Labour unions started to pick up on labour rights:

increasing wages, shorter working days, better working

conditions and a ban on child labour.

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• 1854: Armenwet, the first law looking after the poor.
• 1874: ‘Kinderwetje van Van Houten’ was accepted. This specific law put a ban on child labour.
• Soon after… focus on education became a fact, by implementing the ‘Leerplichtwet’ in 1901.

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From Nachtwakersstaat to welfare state

History of the Dutch welfare state�

After WWII – Gradual formation of a welfare state:

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• Social Democratic party and Catholic Party formed a government.
• More labour rights.
• Agreements between employers and employees.
• Result: new social laws were implemented, such as the ‘AOW’ and the ‘Bijstandswet’.

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From this point onwards, different groups were supported by the government. Therefore a decent level of mutual solidarity in society became increasingly important!

From Nachtwakersstaat to welfare state

 �Did you pay attention?�

Complete assignment 1

 �The Welfare State is built upon �3 main pillars�

 �The 3 pillars of the welfare state�

1. Social security

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 �The 3 pillars of the welfare state�

2. Proper education

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Government pays for proper education.

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Proper education provides individuals with:

• Set of knowledge and skills;
• Personal development.

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• Resulting in good chances on the labour market.

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 �Education and social inequality�

Complete assignment 2

 �The 3 pillars of the welfare state�

3. Decent healthcare

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Government

Government has large share in total �costs of healthcare.

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Healthcare insurance (zorgverzekering)

In case of illness: you can appeal to national health care program, mostly arranged by the healthcare insurance.

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Financial solidarity principle

Every citizen needs to pay a certain amount of money (‘insurance premium’) to their health insurance company, from this the �allowances for those in need can be paid.

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 �A healthcare dilemma�

Complete assignment 3

The municipality in a welfare state�

• What are the main tasks of a municipality related to 3 pillars of our welfare state?

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Liberal versus social democratic welfare state

�Spectrum of political ideas (REMINDER)�

• Explaining the political spectrum of ideas (click to watch video).
• Horizontal axis �(economic policies):
• Left versus right.

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• Vertical axis �(social policies):
• Progressive versus �conservative.

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Where are social democrats positioned in the political spectrum?

Where are liberals positioned in the political spectrum?

SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTIES

LIBERAL PARTIES

 �Welfare states worldwide�

Complete assignment 4

Any questions?