This paper deals with the problem of the welfare state in two states subordinated to two different welfare regimes: conservative-corporatist (Germany) and liberal regime (United States). Having in mind, that this a very wide and multidimensional problematic, it will be limited only to the changes in welfare systems mainly in the 1990s seen from the perspective of gender relations and women′s situation in welfare.
In short, this paper will focus on the German reunification and the changes it exerted on the women′s situation in former GDR. Then it will present briefly policy towards women and families under Chancellor KOHL′s governance. Regarding the USA, welfare reform of 1996 will mainly be discussed - the Personal Responsibility Act - preparations, contents, and the effect. Afterwards, the reaction of the feminist societies on the changes in the American welfare will be presented.
Before the main part, as a starting point, the differences between Germany and the US as two states representing two different welfare regimes will be briefly presented. This comparison will be based on the ESPING-ANDERSEN model that was introduced to the study of welfare at the beginning of 1990′s. The feminist critique on basic assumptions of ESPING-ANDERSEN′s classification shall not also be omited.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES: CONSERVATIVE-CORPORATISM VERSUS LIBERALISM.
2.1 CRITIQUE ON THE ESPING-ANDERSEN MODEL
3. GERMANY IN THE 1990’S: BETWEEN REUNIFICATION AND POWER EXCHANGE ON THE TOP.
3.1 THE IMPACT OF REUNIFICATION ON WOMEN IN THE EAST.
3.2 GERMANY REUNITED, SECOND HALF OF KOHL’S ERA.
4. UNITED STATES: REFORM OF THE WELFARE SYSTEM.
4.2 THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND WORK OPPORTUNITY RECONCILIATION ACT 1996
4.3 THE FEMINIST CRITIQUE
5. CONCLUSIONS
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the evolution of welfare systems in Germany and the United States during the 1990s, specifically analyzing how shifts in social policy influenced gender relations and the status of women within their respective regimes.
- Comparative analysis of conservative-corporatist (Germany) and liberal (U.S.) welfare regimes.
- Evaluation of the Esping-Andersen model through a feminist lens.
- Impact of German reunification on the social and economic situation of Eastern German women.
- Effects of the U.S. Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996.
- Critical discussion on family policies, labor market participation, and the role of the "breadwinner" model.
Excerpt from the Book
2. Germany and the United States: conservative-corporatism versus liberalism.
GØSTA ESPING-ANDERSEN (1990) constructs three basic types of welfare regimes that differ in arrangements between state market and family in providing income and services, the way the welfare state influences the system of stratification and affects the social citizenship rights including the decommodification of labor. A distinction is made among liberal, conservative-corporatist, and social-democratic regimes. The most characteristic differences are presented below.
The liberal welfare state promotes market, rather than the state, in guaranteeing most welfare needs of most citizens. The state is so-called “last resource”, it reacts only in case of social failures and limits the help only to special groups - means-tested assistance. The transfers are modest and rules for entitlement very strict. In consequence, liberal regimes promote social dualism between citizens relying either on the market or on public provisions - private pensions versus social assistance. The decommodification is limited. The state is formally indifferent to gender relations. Traditional, liberal-protestant work ethics is the basic thought that influenced the shape of this regime type. ESPING-ANDERSEN presents the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom as examples.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the scope of the paper, focusing on 1990s welfare reforms in Germany and the U.S. from a gender perspective.
2. GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES: CONSERVATIVE-CORPORATISM VERSUS LIBERALISM.: Defines the core characteristics of the liberal and conservative-corporatist welfare regimes using the Esping-Andersen model.
2.1 CRITIQUE ON THE ESPING-ANDERSEN MODEL: Examines feminist criticisms regarding gender-blindness and the model's inability to account for unpaid care work.
3. GERMANY IN THE 1990’S: BETWEEN REUNIFICATION AND POWER EXCHANGE ON THE TOP.: Discusses how political changes in the 1990s and reunification altered the social landscape of Germany.
3.1 THE IMPACT OF REUNIFICATION ON WOMEN IN THE EAST.: Analyzes the labor market shifts and the decline of state-supported social services for women following reunification.
3.2 GERMANY REUNITED, SECOND HALF OF KOHL’S ERA.: Reviews the pro-family legislative efforts under the Kohl administration and their impact on women's employment.
4. UNITED STATES: REFORM OF THE WELFARE SYSTEM.: Tracks the trajectory of American welfare reform leading up to the 1996 changes.
4.2 THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND WORK OPPORTUNITY RECONCILIATION ACT 1996: Details the transition from welfare to workfare and the introduction of strict time limits for assistance.
4.3 THE FEMINIST CRITIQUE: Summarizes the opposition to PRWORA, focusing on the loss of social rights and the enforcement of the male-breadwinner model.
5. CONCLUSIONS: Concludes that while both nations experienced shifts, they maintained their fundamental regime logic, despite signs of minor crossover (residualization).
Keywords
Welfare State, Gender Perspective, Conservative-Corporatist, Liberalism, Esping-Andersen, Reunification, PRWORA, Social Policy, Feminist Critique, Labor Market, Breadwinner Model, Workfare, Social Assistance, Family Policy, Empowerment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines the welfare states of Germany and the United States during the 1990s, analyzing their transformations through a gender-specific lens.
What are the main welfare models discussed?
The paper focuses on the conservative-corporatist model (Germany) and the liberal model (United States), as defined by Gøsta Esping-Andersen.
What is the core research question?
The research investigates how changes in welfare systems during the 1990s affected gender relations and the socioeconomic position of women in both countries.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The author uses a comparative political science approach, utilizing existing theoretical frameworks (Esping-Andersen) and feminist academic critiques to evaluate social policy changes.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the impact of German reunification on women in the former GDR, the Kohl era policies, the U.S. welfare reform of 1996 (PRWORA), and the feminist arguments against these reforms.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Welfare State, Gender Perspective, Liberalism, Conservative-Corporatism, Reunification, and Workfare.
How did German reunification affect women in the East?
Reunification led to significant unemployment and the dismantling of state-provided social services, forcing many women into traditional family roles and disrupting their previous levels of economic independence.
What was the main impact of the 1996 U.S. welfare reform on women?
The PRWORA reform transformed welfare into workfare, eliminating entitlements, imposing strict time limits, and compelling single mothers to enter the labor market, which critics argue deepened economic dependence on men.
- Quote paper
- Weronika Tkocz (Author), 2002, Germany vs. US - Two Welfare Regimes seen from the Gender perspective, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/8584