Addressing the Double Crisis: The Welfare State Trilemma

Abstract

It is hard to promote humane, generous policies in an unequal and divided society in which most people reject tax rises and are suspicious of the poor. Proponents of a more generous welfare state face a trilemma between inclusive goals, the cost of effective policies and public antipathy to claimants. The stigmatisation of poverty rests on the beliefs that the poor are irresponsible, work-shy and contribute little. Redistributive programmes which focus on children (not seen as responsible for their own poverty) and stress the capacity of other groups of claimants to contribute to society are more feasible. These need to be combined with social investment in child and elder care and education, preventive policies and ‘pre-distribution’ to raise bottom-end wages and strengthen workplace rights, and can only be carried through with political commitment and determined leadership.