the welfare state, non-profits and class struggle
Aug 21 2009 22:33
I'm trying to understand and articulate the role of the welfare state and it's relation to class struggle are there any writings that folks would recommend? Even more specifically, are there any writings that discuss the role of non-profits and/or homecare in relation to capital? Right now Im browsing articles in Aufheben.
Aug 22 2009 23:53
#2
Thanks I will check that out.
Aug 23 2009 05:25
#3
Beyond Dependency or Beyond Capitalism?
New Zealand, as an ‘experimental case’ in welfare reform between the late 19th century and late 20th century, recently hosted a major international conference "over-viewing successful and innovative solutions to the problems of welfare dependency". This paper sets out to critique the ideological assumptions and empirical evidence for the `welfare dependency paradigm' that sets the terms of reference for this conference, and for other international initiatives to drive welfare reform. It argues that the case for welfare dependency rests on untenable ideological assumptions about individuals `choice', and that far from being a prime cause of unnecessary social spending, welfare needs are a consequence of social programmes that were originally designed to facilitate economic growth. The ideological shift from a macro concept of welfare as a social goal, to an attack on welfare recipients, can be traced to the economic imperative to cut taxes and public spending as a drain on profitability under the openly competitive requirements of the global economy.
http://www.geocities.com/davebedggood/bddependency.html
oldie but a goodie
Aug 31 2009 19:51
#4
A comrade of mine says Family, Economy and State: the Social Reproduction process under capitalism by James Dickinson and Bob Russell is worth reading in this respect.
Kirk Mann "The Making of an English "Underclass"? Social Divisions of Welfare and Labour". He described himself as a libertarian marxist and does a bottom up, class struggle analysis.
Briefly the argument goes:
- the development of the capitalist division of labour creates a situation where workers contest control over the labour process with capitalists.
- in doing so, workers organise but more frequently than not, this is on a sectional rather than class basis due to alienation and the fact they are in competition with each other.
- those that retain most control over the labour process are able to gain better wages, occupational welfare (eg a pension provided by the employer) and access to state benefits.
- Those with least control/no control have to rely on state welfare - these are often referred to as 'the underclass'
One of his main points is to argue that the working class is an active agent in the creation of social divisions such as racism, undeserving/deserving poor, sexism etc which are both reflected and reinforced by the provision of welfare.