Theoretical Approaches to Welfare

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Marxist and Feminist Approaches to Welfare

Different sociological perspectives adopt different attitudes towards the welfare state. The most important differences occur between Marxist, feminist, social democratic and New Right approaches.

Marxist approaches to welfare

Marxists view the welfare state as a way of buying off working-class protest, by reducing the risks of social disorder to political instability caused by unrest and protest against extreme inequality, ill-health and poverty.
Marxists see the welfare state as a legitimising device, in that a system based on equality, exploitation and conflict is seen as caring and just.

Marxist approaches cont.

The welfare state benefits capitalism by ensuring that the labour force remains healthy and, therefore, efficient.
The welfare state appears to give workers a stake in capitalist society by keeping them healthy, efficient and trained and, therefore, ensuring a stable capitalist system, but Marxists argue that this is simply a form of social control.

Feminist approaches to welfare

Feminists emphasise the inadequacy of the welfare state in meeting the needs of women and, therefore, represents a tool of patriarchy.
The benefits system is most often based on the national insurance contributions, as many women either work part-time or have breaks in their work histories in order to care for children, they are likely to be penalised.

Feminist approaches cont.

The welfare state was founded on the assumption of women being financially supported by men.
Women often work for free, through caring for children, elderly relatives, the sick and relatives who are disabled.

The New Right Approach

Different sociological perspectives adopt different attitudes towards the welfare state. The most important differences occur between Marxist, feminist, social democratic and New Right approaches.

The New Right approach

New Right view supports the free-market in the delivery of welfare.
A free market in welfare allows governments to hand over the responsibility of welfare to individuals and their families (voluntary sector) as well as charities.

Private provisioning

Lower taxation from lower welfare spending will encourage people to purchase their own welfare provision, for example, private health-care insurance such as BUPA.
This helps reduce the welfare burden on the state and taxpayers and it removes the dependency culture and the growth in lone-parenting as both are supported by an over-generous welfare system.

Lower taxes

As the welfare burden is reduced, income tax thresholds can be lowered.
Individuals are encouraged to take more personal responsibility encouraging more self-reliance.
A welfare safety-net, for the very poor through means tested welfare payments are still provided but at a minimum cost to the state.

Evaluation

Only people with high enough earnings can afford private healthcare.
A two-tier healthcare system comes into existence leading to better healthcare for the rich.
Stigma is attached to claiming welfare when means tested.
People avoid medical check-ups due to cost.