Noget for noget - Diskursivt sceneskift i velfærdsstaten!

Abstract

#English Summary

Quid pro quo – A change of discourse in the Danish Welfare Society

We have changed the perception of work and unemployment. This thesis is the central observation of this extended essay. As work has become the foundation of the personal identity, the meaning of unemployment has changed. The Government emphasize creating equal job opportunities, and this, reinforced with economic incentives are to ensure that the unemployed are motivated to seek work and thus be able to support themselves. A total freeze on rising taxes and a reduction of the taxation of income from work are to make it more rewarding to work. The aim is full employment, a flexible labour market as well as the reinforcement of social cohesion. These changes are seen as an expression of the basic ideological foundation and values in relation to social and labour market policy fields. Policies are now aimed at activation and social inclusion, developing a dynamic job-creation offensive. The essay lists seven sub-theses about the causes and effects that can explain the changed attitude to work, individual, obligation, responsibility and equality within the framework of the historical and societal context of the Danish Welfare Society. The basic context of the aims of the Government viewed and discussed from different perspectives, however, common for the coverage of the aims of work-creation and social inclusion, of the basic challenges behind those aims and the evaluation of their effects must be seen within a social-constructivist perspective. It is thus central to describe the hegemonisation of the society discourse on work-creation and social inclusion as well as its context and the view of the involved to the social reality of the social- and labour policies of the Government.

The essay describes and analyses the Government’s view of the future challenges of the Welfare State, the aims in relation to work-creation and social inclusion and its expected effects. The basic agreed political foundation as well as concrete political initiative and plans, including its ´Flere i arbejde´ -More in Work - reform. Based on this description the basic changed values, the emphasis on the flexible labour market becomes clear rather than on the solidarity in the society. Jacob Torfing’s narrative of the change from a Keynesian National Welfare State towards a Schumpeterian Workfare Postnational Regime is used to outline the historical and societal context of the change, explaining the Government’s concept of ´activation´.

Ruth Levitas’ theory and definitions of social exclusion and inclusion is thereafter introduced and used in the essay. She identifies three competing discourses of social exclusion. These are used as ideal types, as an analytical device, to illustrate how the discourse of social exclusion and inclusion is deployed by the Government in its social- and labour market policies. The essay see the changes as an effect of how the Government view these terms, influenced by the historical and societal context. The aims of activation and social inclusion is discussed with a foundation in the changes and problems related to globalization, fundamental changes in the international and national economies, the demography, pluralism and individualism. Thus the changes of policies have their roots in changes in the view of the individual and society.

The essay concludes that the Government’s social and labour market policies have introduced new values and principles. The view of the individual and her/his obligations and responsibilities in the society underlines the absolute importance of everybody being employed in work. Its liberal policies are based on a clear finance policy strategy, however, and as that policy emphasises the creation of the flexible labour market, the conditions for maintaining social cohesion is undermined, as those who cannot be included in the labour force no matter what conditions are even more excluded than before. The ultimate aim is the creation of a knowledge based society, where competitiveness and growth can ensure future welfare. However, the cost and consequences for some of the involved, those who are to participate end contribute, seems unimportant.