Foundations of the workfare state: reflections on the political transformation of the welfare state in Britain

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Citations (Scopus)
749 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The British ‘welfare state’ has been transformed. ‘Welfare’ has been replaced by a new ‘workfare’ regime (the ‘Work Programme’) defined by tougher state regulatory practices for those receiving out-of-work benefits. US-style mandatory community work programmes are being revived and expanded. This article, therefore, considers shifting public attitudes to work and welfare in Britain and changing attitudes to working-age welfare and out-of-work benefits in particular. It also considers the extent to which recent transformations of the state may be explained by declines in traditional labourist politics and class-based solidarity. Thus, we attempt to develop a richer understanding of changing public attitudes towards welfare and the punitive regulatory ‘workfare’ practices engaged by the modern state in the liberal market economy; reflecting on the nature of the relations between ideology, party policies, popular attitudes and their political impact.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)862–886
Number of pages25
JournalSocial Policy and Administration
Volume49
Issue number7
Early online date24 Sept 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2015

Keywords

  • workfare
  • welfare state
  • social class
  • political parties
  • social attitudes
  • public opinion

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Foundations of the workfare state: reflections on the political transformation of the welfare state in Britain'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this