SOLUTIONS TO POVERTY - KEY PEOPLE

Question 1

Esping-Andersen

Answer 1

Aims to create typologies of welfare state regimes.
He does this by comparing different levels of welfare decommodification in Western welfare systems.
- Social democratic
Highly decommodified. Welfare services are subsidised by the state and available to all (universal). The aim is to reduce inequality. For example: Scandinavian countries - Sweden and Norway
- Conservative- corporatist
may be highly decommodified, but they are not necessarily universal. The amount of benefits available to you depends on your position in society. This type of system does not aim to reduce inequality, but instead aims to maintain social solidarity and patriotism. For example: France and Germany
- Liberal
highly commodified and sold through the market. Means tested benefits are available to the most needy, but are highly stigmatised. This is because most of the population is expected to purchase its own welfare through the market. For example: USA

Question 2

Pierson

Answer 2

Professor of Politics at University of Nottingham, Pierson concludes in his work Dismantling the Welfare State that the welfare state had emerged from the the 1980s relatively intact.
He explains that due to the rise in voluntary agencies such as ‘Action for Children’ and trade unions, the system is able to survive and be held accountable despite roll backs.

Question 3

Dwyer

Answer 3

states that the attempt to make welfare benefits dependent on a commitment to actively seek work is a creeping conditionality which erodes the principle of a citizens entitlement.

Question 4

Flaherty et al 2004

Answer 4

notes however that even if Blair had halved child poverty by 2010 as he aimed, it would still be higher than when Thatcher came into power in 1979