Course: European Social Policy (2nd seminar) Welfare State and European Social

Model(s)10th of March 2008Seminar leader: Milena JabůrkováPresented by: Anna Kárníková and Barbora Latečková

Group B1

Definition of Welfare State

Welfare= commonly refers to„well-being“ Equivalent to the term 'social protection' in the

European Union in U.S. - financial assistance to poor people Welfare State= a social system whereby the state

assumes primary responsibility for the welfare of its citizens, as in matters of health care, education, employment, and social security

When did it start and why? Starting in Germany (1880s – Bismarck´s social legislation) MODERN WELFARE STATE AS (Bauman 2005: 92) :

(1) A proof that ethics….

(2) A result of long battle of…

(3) An attempt of state to prevent… THEN a lot of people needed in factories and armies = state

needed to take care of them x NOW modern armies with few soldiers, massive firing of people as the industry made them redundant = state needs to find new role for these people

Time to transform Europe´s welfare?(Giddens 2006)

Main challenges: Globalization Energy price shocks Climate change Ageing population Health issues (e.g. obesity) Immigration Technological revolution

→ Europe and the EU needs to reform its social system(s)

European Social Model(s)

ESM: never clearly defined, Europe´s welfare states very different

Fundamentals of ESM: promoting economic growth and both social

cohesion and inclusion dissimilarity to U.S.model: accepts the

importance of the state rather than individual, works as a safety net (Mejstřík, Chytilová 2006: 45)

4 basic European Social Models:

Main features (1)

Anglo-saxon model (UK,Irl) Less job protection → easier to hire and fire → easy to create

new jobs → more dynamic economy Less welfare – orientated on people in need, great role of

charities, reducing poverty

Continental (Ger,Fra,Bel,Lux) More regulations, strict rules on job protection (collective

bargaining), better unemployment benefits less flexible market, better welfare (good in reducing poverty) Principle of subsidiarity

Main features (2)

Mediterranean (Ita,Spain,Greece,Port) similar to continental, spending concentrated on pensions no quarantee of minimal income, high legal protection inflexible

Nordic (Nor,Swe,Den,Ice) greater role of state, more women in work high taxes and a lot of welfare, balanced budgets result of Social Democratic goverments in power better at tackling poverty massive investments in technologies, education → more

competitive

EU´s reform of ESM

based on the Dannish model of „flexicurity“ less regulation of the labour market focus on more R&D, education, investment in new

technologies, investing in women and young people lifelong learning, training and requalification

programmes „OMD“ to preserve and enhance the values of equality,

solidarity, individual rights and responsibilities, non-discrimination (part of EU identity)

Thank you for your attention