CHAPTER 9 - Welfare state or competetion state

Question 1

What is a welfare state?

Answer 1

“A welfare state is a state that has a high level of social protection and public spending intended to provide for the basic needs of the population, such as education, healthcare, shelter, and income support.”

Question 2

Which welfare model have we chosen in Denmark?

Answer 2

Denmark follows the Scandinavian welfare model, which emphasizes universal welfare from the cradle to the grave, including educational opportunities, free healthcare, and a comprehensive social safety net.

Question 3

How do welfare states differ?

Answer 3

Welfare states differ based on the level of universalism, decommodification, and stratification they exhibit. Universalism refers to the degree to which the welfare state provides social benefits to the entire population, regardless of need, whereas decommodification refers to the extent to which social benefits remove individuals from reliance on the market. Stratification in welfare states refers to the level of social differentiation that exists among their citizens.

Question 4

What is a competition state?

Answer 4

A competition state is a state that seeks to increase economic competitiveness by deregulating markets, reducing taxes, and limiting social spending.

Question 5

What are the challenges of the Danish welfare state and is the development towards competition state the answer to these?

Answer 5

The challenges facing the Danish welfare state include an aging population, rising healthcare costs, and economic globalization. There is debate over whether the development towards a competition state can be an appropriate answer to these challenges, as this would involve lowering taxation, decreasing social spending, and relying more on private enterprise.

Question 6

Competition state

Answer 6

a state that seeks to increase economic competitiveness by deregulating markets, reducing taxes, and limiting social spending.

Question 7

Competition state loser

Answer 7

individuals who are negatively affected by the development of a competition state, such as those who face unemployment, social exclusion, or poverty.

Question 8

Competition state winner

Answer 8

individuals who benefit from the development of a competition state, such as those who are highly skilled, well-educated, or have access to capital.

Question 9

Corporative welfare model

Answer 9

a welfare model that involves collaboration between employers and employees in the provision of social benefits, such as healthcare or unemployment insurance.

Question 10

Demographic challenge

Answer 10

the challenge posed by an aging population with lower birth rates, which can lead to increased demand for social services and decreased funding from taxation or labor.

Question 11

Dependency ratio

Answer 11

the ratio between the number of people of working age and the number of people who are not of working age and are thus dependent on social services or pensions.

Question 12

Downsizing strategy

Answer 12

a strategy aimed at reducing public spending and the size of government, which may involve layoffs of public sector workers or reductions in social benefits.

Question 13

Early retirement

Answer 13

the practice of retiring before the age at which one is eligible for a state pension.

Question 14

Empowerment

Answer 14

a principle that emphasizes the importance of involving citizens in decision-making and giving them more control over their own lives.

Question 15

Expansion strategy

Answer 15

a strategy aimed at increasing public spending and the size of government, which may involve the expansion of social benefits or the hiring of public sector workers.

Question 16

Increased individualization

Answer 16

the trend towards individualism and personal responsibility in welfare policy, as opposed to a collective approach.

Question 17

Insurance principle

Answer 17

the principle that social benefits should be provided to individuals who have contributed through taxes or other forms of mandatory insurance.

Question 18

Mutual dependence

Answer 18

the idea that all members of society are interdependent and rely on each other for various goods and services.

Question 19

Outsourcing

Answer 19

the practice of hiring external companies or contractors to perform tasks that were previously done in-house.

Question 20

Principle of discretion

Answer 20

the principle that social benefits should be provided according to individual needs and circumstances, rather than universal or categorical criteria.

Question 21

Principle of law

Answer 21

the principle that social benefits should be provided according to established legal or constitutional frameworks.

Question 22

Progressive tax system

Answer 22

a tax system in which those who earn more income pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes.

Question 23

Residual welfare model

Answer 23

a welfare model that provides social benefits only to those who are unable to rely on the market or other private sources for support.

Question 24

Services

Answer 24

goods or activities that are provided as part of a social welfare system, such as healthcare, education, or social security.

Question 25

Social dumping

Answer 25

the practice of lowering labor standards or social benefits in order to increase competitiveness in the global market.

Question 26

Subsidiarity principle

Answer 26

the principle that social services should be provided by the lowest possible level of government, in order to ensure that they are tailored to local needs and circumstances.

Question 27

Transfers

Answer 27

the movement of money or resources from one group or individual to another, often in the context of social benefits or taxes.

Question 28

Undeclared income

Answer 28

income that is earned but not reported to the government for tax purposes.

Question 29

Universal welfare model

Answer 29

a model of welfare that provides social benefits to the entire population, regardless of need or circumstance.

Question 30

Universal services

Answer 30

social services that are available to the entire population, regardless of need or ability to pay.

Question 31

User payment

Answer 31

a system in which social services are paid for by the individuals who use them, rather than through general taxation.

Question 32

Welfare model

Answer 32

a system of social welfare that provides support to individuals and groups who are in need, often including social services or financial benefits.

Question 33

Welfare state

Answer 33

a state that has a high level of social protection and public spending intended to provide for the basic needs of the population, such as education, healthcare, shelter, and income support.