presentation at proof conference, toronto,...
TRANSCRIPT
Dennis Raphael, PhD, York University Toba Bryant, PhD, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Reducing Food Insecurity in the Liberal Welfare State: What can be Done in the Absence of State Action?
Presentation at PROOF Conference, Toronto, November 18, 2016
Source: Langille, D. (2016). Follow the money: How business and politics define our health. In D. Raphael (ed.) Social Determinants of Health: Canadian Perspectives (3rd edition). Toronto: CSPI.
“Accountable federal and provincial public policy informed by the right to food is urgently required.” ‐‐ Riches and Tarasuk, 2014
“The right to food does not appear to be on the agenda.” ‐‐ Silvasti and Riches, 2014
The Political Economy of Food InsecurityFood security – and other health research ‐‐is dominated by pluralistic concepts of public policymaking being a rational ideas‐driven process.
In contrast, the political economy literature identifies the role power and influence play in the distribution of resources that lead to food insecurity.
Pluralism and Canadian public policy:
Let’s get the message out.
PluralismPluralism, a model of democratic participation, focuses on how interest groups influence governments to make specific forms of public policy.
It assumes governments make public policy on the basis of an analysis of costs and benefits, and is a principal approach in the public policy analysis literature. Source: Bryant, T. (2016). Health Policy in Canada (2nd
edition). Toronto: Canadian Scholars' Press.
Political Economy and Canadian Public Policy: Why are things getting worse?
http://www.macleans.ca/economy/business/talking-at-cross-purposes-about-income-inequality/
Source: Curry-Stevens, A. (2016). Precarious changes: A generational exploration of Canadian incomes and wealth. In D. Raphael SDOH: Canadian Perspectives , 3rd ed.
Political EconomyPolicies flow from how the economy distributes power and resources. The relative power of the market versus the State shape public policy‐making.
This contrasts with emphasis on how groups put forth ideas to be subjected to cost and benefit analysis (pluralism).
Public policy results from particular groups having more control and influence over these processes, thereby shaping public policy‐making to meet their, rather than others’, needs and desires.
Source: Bryant, T. (2016). Health Policy in Canada (2nd
edition). Toronto: Canadian Scholars' Press.
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What is the central institution in Canadian Society – in terms of shaping the distribution of resources?
The state (government)?The family?The market?
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Source: Saint-Arnaud, S., & Bernard, P. (2003). Convergence or resilience? A hierarchial cluster analysis of the welfare regimes in advanced countries. Current Sociology, 51(5), 499-527.
Distinguishing Features of the Liberal Welfare State
• Key institution is the Market rather than the State• State provides few economic and social supports• Modest State provision of benefits ‐‐ targeted rather than universally provided • Dominant corporate sector and weak labour sector•Quality and equity of the distribution of the social determinants falls behind other wealthy developed nations
Does Ideology Matter? Food Insecurity in SD versus Liberal Welfare States
28.7%
8%%
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Figure 1. Union Density, Collective Agreement Coverage and Child Poverty, 2008 (density and coverage rates) and Mid 2000s
(poverty rates)
0102030405060708090
100
Denmark
Finlan
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Netherlan
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United King
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Canada
New Zea
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Union Density Collective Bargaining Coverage Child Poverty Rate
Source: Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (2006). Trade Union Members and Union Density. Available at http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/8/24/31781139.xls and OECD (2009). Growing Unequal: Income Distribution and Poverty in OECD Countries Figure 5.a2.1, p.154.
Power and influence
Key Points• Public policy creates the social inequalities that spawn food insecurity• Public policy is shaped by form of the welfare state and the ideological commitments of ruling authorities• Liberal welfare states are usually dominated by business and corporate interests• Reducing food insecurity requires shifting the role of the State• Means are available for doing so
What needs to be done?• Keep doing research, but• Engage with allies and build a movement
• Labour movement• Politicians (and parties) at all levels• Public policy advocacy organizations• Other progressive NGOs• Upstream
• Confront those profiting from inequality
Further Resources
thecanadianfacts.org
