The American Welfare State in International Perspective

1. The American Welfare State in International Perspective Discussion Guide for Chapter 18 Karger & Stoesz

2. models depict the comparative levels of development of nations First World � Industrial nations of the capitalist West Second World � the communist nations that developed alternative economic systems Third World � Nations that were former colonies of the First World nations and later achieved independence

3. The Cold war intensified this MOdel Many third world countries fought for independence from the capitalist western countries Communist countries viewed the third world as an opportunity to defeat western capitalism and expand communism In many cases of armed conflicts in third world countries were backed by first or second world countries

4. Fourth World countries? With Collapse of USSR, Communist Countries posed little threat Many third world nations lost ground Examples: Nations of Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Sierra Leone USA and other first world countries began to spend less of foreign aide that during the cold war

5. Typologies of Welfare States Lebeaux & Wilensky Residual Welfare Institutional Welfare Concerned with providing a minimal safety net for the poorest sections of the population rather than caring for the population as a whole Seeks to provide a variety of social programs for the whole population and to combine economic and social objectives in an effort to enhance the well-being of all

6. Is the USA a residual or an institutional system? I

7. Is Europe a residual or institutional system?

8. Industrial Performance MOdel Russian and the former communist countries of the USSR do not fit neatly into the Residual vs. Institutional Model Richard Titmuss

9. Fair? Most of the authors presented favor extensive government involvement in social welfare Most depict the US negatively in comparison to European Welfare States What do you think?

10. Welfare Exceptionalism Is defined as the unwillingness of the United States to emphasize government social welfare programs Amenta & Skocpol

11. Explanations of American Exceptionalism Racial, ethnic, and religious diversity in the US has prevented the emergence of a comprehensive welfare state High degree of political decentralization Separation of powers in government Individualism

12. Challenges to American Exceptionalism The role of indirect support through tax relief and tax deductions is often ignored Jacob Hacker states that private sector health and welfare benefits augment public social programs and that their inclusion puts the US on a par with European welfare states. The US depends more on the private sector to provide social welfare

13. The Welfare State in Transition Two Major Factors 1. The impact of the global economy on government spending 2. An increase in the use of social services by workers dislocated by global economic changes

14. The Welfare Consensus of the 1980�s 1. Make welfare benefits conditinal on employment 2. Transform open-ended entitlements to discretionary programs 3. Contain growth of government sector 4. Replace government programs with community based organizations 5. Contract out services to the private sector

15. Ranking National Development 1. The Weighted Index of Social Progress US Ranked 27th 2. The Human Development Index � (UN) US Ranked 7th

16. Nussbaum�s 10 Elements of a capability approach to development 1. Life: enjoying full longevity 2. Bodily health- including reproductive health 3. Bodily integrity-freedom of movement, security from assault 4. Sensing, imagination and thought to enhance life 5. Emotions � enjoying attachments to others not controlled by nor censored by other

17. Nussbaum�s 10 Elements of a capability approach to development (con�t) 6. Practical reason- planning one�s life 7. Affiliation- respecting and living with others without fear of discrimination 8. Other species: living in harmony with all features of the environment 9. Play: enjoying activities that are entertaining and rejuvenating 10. Control over on�s environment-owning property. Engaging politically in order to prosper

18. NGOs and Quangos Nongovernmental organizations Habitat for Humanity Grameen Development Bank First Nations Development Institutite Quangos � quasi-NGOs (ex. World Bank)

19. social instability poses challenges for human service professinals Immigration Human trafficking Undocumented workders Refugee families

20. Responses include Social Development Human Capital Self-suffficiency Interventions