There are two main stances concerning welfare policy, namely the neo-liberal and the social democratic point of view. In this essay a speech by John Key, held before the 2008 General Election about his perspective on the welfare state will be reflected. Key makes numerous remarks about the individual responsibility of the people, which clarify his view on welfare policy.
Thus, the neo-liberal perspective Key takes on the appropriate role of the welfare state and the nature and extent of individuals’ responsibilities for their personal circumstances will be articulated. Afterwards the neo-liberal stance will be criticized from a social democratic perspective.
Neo-liberals have a clear view on the appropriate role of the welfare state: They see welfare policy overall not as a central part of their politics. As Harvey (2006, p. 25) puts it, the neo-liberal state “withdraws from welfare provision and diminishes its role as far as possible in the arenas of health care, public education and social services […]”. One can find evidence for Key having the same view on welfare issues by reading his speech. For example, he bares that he is willing to support people when they are most in need (Key, 2008), which can be regarded as a sign for not having much interest in providing comprehensive welfare support for everyone in need. This impression is also strengthened by Key’s idea “to give people a kick in the pants when they are not taking responsibility for themselves, for their families, and for the taxpayer” (Key, 2008). Especially mentioning the taxpayer reveals that Key does not want the state to come up for people, who don’t have an interest in finding new employment or who rely completely on the state.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Neo-liberalism and Welfare Policy
- John Key's Perspective on the Welfare State
- Individual Responsibility and Limited Welfare
- Equality of Opportunity and the Role of the State
- Social Democracy and the Welfare State
- Collective Responsibility and Social Programs
- State Intervention and the Mixed Economy
- Social Democracy vs. Neo-liberalism: A Comparison
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the perspective on welfare policy held by John Key, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, through the lens of social democracy. It analyzes his statements and positions on the role of the welfare state, individual responsibility, and the nature of society, contrasting them with the tenets of social democracy. Key themes explored in the essay include:- The neo-liberal and social democratic perspectives on the welfare state
- The importance of individual responsibility versus collective responsibility
- The role of the state in managing the economy and providing social services
- The impact of inequality on social well-being and individual opportunity
- The nature of society and the relationship between individuals and the state
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first part of the essay delves into John Key's neo-liberal stance on welfare policy, analyzing his beliefs on individual responsibility and the limited role of the welfare state. Key emphasizes the need for individuals to take responsibility for their lives and circumstances, suggesting a preference for limited government intervention and reliance on family and enterprise welfare. The essay explores the concept of equality of opportunity within this framework, contrasting it with social democratic views.
The second part of the essay explores the social democratic perspective on welfare policy, contrasting it with the neo-liberal approach. Social democrats advocate for a more active role of the state in ensuring social well-being and providing essential social programs. They emphasize the need for collective responsibility and state intervention to mitigate the effects of unregulated markets. The essay examines the implications of this approach for social justice, equity, and the nature of society.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The essay focuses on the key concepts of neo-liberalism, social democracy, welfare policy, individual responsibility, collective responsibility, equality of opportunity, state intervention, mixed economy, and the nature of society. It explores the contrasting perspectives on these issues held by John Key and social democratic thinkers, providing a framework for understanding the complexities of welfare policy and the role of the state in a modern society.- Quote paper
- Jens Goldschmidt (Author), 2009, John Key’s perspective on the welfare state from a social democratic point of view, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/202513
