Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-wzw2p Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-24T16:08:57.243Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Freedom and the Welfare State: A Multi-Dimensional Problem

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2009

Roy van den Brink-Budgen
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Robert Goodin has recently argued that the welfare state increases rather than reduces freedom. This paper examines the meanings of both ‘welfare state’ and ‘freedom’ and argues that the relationship between the two is much more complex than Goodin suggests. The welfare state is seen as a multi-dimensional phenonemon, capable of being defined exclusively or inclusively. Goodin's use of the term ‘freedom’ is unpacked into four distinct components: negative freedom, opportunity, autonomy and moral paternalism. Accordingly, an assessment of the welfare state must include an evaluation of its various programmes, policies and the perceptions of these against separated components of ‘freedom’. It becomes, therefore, on both sides of the analysis a multi-dimensional problem.

Type
Article
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , January 1984 , pp. 21 - 39
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Abbott, P. (1978), ‘Philosophers and the Abortion Question’, Political Theory, 6:1, 313–35.Google Scholar
Abrams, P. (1977), ‘Community Care: Some Research Problems and Priorities’, Policy and Politics, 6:2, 125–31.Google Scholar
Attlee, C.R. (1954), As It Happened, William Heinemann, London.Google Scholar
Benn, S.I. (1975), ‘Freedom, Autonomy and the Concept of a Person’, Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, LXXVI, 109–30.Google Scholar
Benn, S.I. & Weinstein, W.L. (1971), ‘Being Free to Act, and Being a Free Man’, Mind, 80, 194–211.Google Scholar
Berlin, I. (1969), Four Essays on Liberty, Oxford University Press, Oxford.Google Scholar
Bolderson, H. (1980), ‘The Origins of the Disabled Persons Employment Quota and its Symbolic Significance’, Journal of Social Policy, 9:2, 169–86.Google Scholar
Bradshaw, J. (1972), ‘The Concept of Social Need’, New Society, 30 03, 640–3.Google Scholar
Budgen, R.P. & Johnston, B. (1983), ‘Freedom and the Handicapped: Possibility, Eligibility, Intention and Omission’, Political Studies, XXXI:2, 264–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cartwright, A. & O'Brien, M. (1976), ‘Social Class Variations in Health Care and in the Nature of General Practitioner Consultations’, in Stacey, M. (ed.) The Sociology of the National Health Service, Sociological Review Monograph 22, University of Keele, pp.77–82.Google Scholar
Clifford, D. (1975), ‘Stigma and the Perception of Social Security Services’, Policy and Politics, 3:3, 29–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cmnd 8173 (1981), Growing Older, HMSO, London.Google Scholar
Commission of the European Communities (1977), The Perception of Poverty in Europe. Brussels.Google Scholar
Crossman, R.H.S. (1973), The Role of the Volunteer in the Modern Social Service, Clarendon Press, Oxford.Google Scholar
Crossman, R.H.S. (1977), The Diaries of a Cabinet Minister; Volume Three: Secretary of State for Social Services 1968–1970, Hamish Hamilton and Jonathan Cape, London.Google Scholar
Culyer, A.J. (1976), Need and the National Health Service: Economics and Social Choice, Martin Robertson, London.Google Scholar
Donnison, D.V. & Chapman, V. (with Meacher, M.. Sears, A. & Urwin, K.)(1965), Social Policy and Administration, George Allen & Unwin, London.Google Scholar
Forder, A. (1974), Concepts in Social Administration: A Framework for Analysis, Routledge & Kegan Paul, London.Google Scholar
M., & Friedman, R. (1980), Free to Choose, Secker & Warburg, London.Google Scholar
Gilbert, N. & Specht, H. (1974), Dimensions of Social Welfare Policy, Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.Google Scholar
Goodin, R.E. (1982), ‘Freedom and the Welfare State: Theoretical Foundations’, Journal of Social Policy, 11:2, 149–76.Google Scholar
Ham, C. (1981), Policy Making in the National Health Service, Macmillan, London.Google Scholar
Jenkin, P. (1980), ‘Introduction’ to Inequalities in Health, Report of a Research Working Group, DHSS, London.Google Scholar
Klein, R. (1974), ‘Policy Perceptions and Policy Problems in the National Health Service’, Policy and Politics. 2:3, 219–36.Google Scholar
Lightman, E.S. (1981), ‘Continuity in Social Policy Behaviours: The Case of Voluntary Blood Donorship’, Journal of Social Policy, 10:1, 53–79.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lind, G. & Wiseman, C. (1978), ‘Setting Health Priorities: A Review of Concepts and Approaches’, Journal of Social Policy, 7:4, 411–40.Google Scholar
MacCallum, G.C. Jr (1967), ‘Negative and Positive Freedom’, Philosophical Review, 76:3, 312–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MCARSW (Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Recreation and Social Welfare)(1975), Memorandum on the Care of the Aged, Rijswijk, Netherlands.Google Scholar
Miller, E.J. & Gwynne, G.V. (1972), A Life Apart: A pilot study of residential institutions for the physically handicapped and the younger chronic sick. Tavistock Publications, London.Google Scholar
Nozick, R. (1974), Anarchy, State, and Utopia, Basil Blackwell, Oxford.Google Scholar
Page, R. & Clarke, G.A. (1977), Who Cares? Young People In Care Speak Out. National Children's Bureau, London.Google Scholar
Parent, W.A. (1974), ‘Some Recent Work on the Concept of Liberty’, American Philosophical Quarterly, 11:3, 149–67.Google Scholar
Parker, R.A. (1976), ‘Charging for the Social Services’, Journal of Social Policy, 5:4, 359–73.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plant, R., Lesser, H. & Taylor-Gooby, P. (1980), Political Philosophy and Social Welfare (Essays on the Normative Basis of Welfare Provision), Routledge & Kegan Paul, London.Google Scholar
Reddin, M. (1974), ‘A Dialogue of Blood: 2’, New Society, 28 03, 771–2.Google Scholar
Sandford, C., Pond, C. & Walker, R. (eds)(1980). Taxation and Social Policy, Heinemann Educational Books, London.Google Scholar
Taylor, C. (1979), ‘What's Wrong with Negative Liberty’, in Ryan, A. (ed.), The Idea of Freedom (Essays in Honour of Isaiah Berlin), Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp.175–93.Google Scholar
Thoreau, H.D. (1963), ‘On the Duty of Civil Disobedience’, in Somerville, J. & Santoni, R.E. (eds), Social and Political Philosophy, Anchor Books, Doubleday & Company, New York, pp.292–301.Google Scholar
Titmuss, R.M. (1963), Essays on ‘the Welfare State’, 2nd Edition, George Allen & Unwin, London.Google Scholar
Titmuss, R.M. (1968), Commitment to Welfare, George Allen & Unwin, London.Google Scholar
Titmuss, R.M. (1970), The Gift Relationship (from human blood to social policy), George Allen & Unwin, London.Google Scholar
White, D.M. (1970), ‘Negative Liberty’, Ethics, 80:3, 185–204.Google Scholar