...the liberal welfare state, in which means-tested assistance, modest universal transfers or modest social-insurance plans predominate. Benefits cater mainly to a clientele of low-income, usually working-class, state dependants. In this model, the progress of social reform has been severely circumscribed by traditional, liberal work-ethic norms: it is one where the limits of welfare equal the marginal propensity to opt for welfare instead of work. Entitlement rules are therefore strict and offer associated stigma; benefits are typically modest. In turn, the state encourages the market, either passively - by guaranteeing only a minimum - or actively - by subsidizing private welfare schemes.The Welfare State, a reader, p 162
Source Quote:
How public policy defines citizen rights is highly determinative of the "life chances" available to members of society, including the elderly. In liberal states such as the United States, there are modest universal transfers and means-tested assistance with strict entitlement rules, often associated with stigma... In contrast to the "largely individualistic and sometimes asocial views of the New Right" in which citizen rights are based largely on labor market participation and property, the opposing concept of "social rights" emphasizing notions of independence and solidarity...Social Policy and Aging, p 11
yep...I think that's it. I interpret it to mean that people have to spend nearly all their assets to qualify for the gov't program so their kids/heirs only get a small amount. For instance, the mom/dad may have been worth $1 million, but after paying all their care bills, they only were able to give their kids $100k. That's my take on it....
ReplyDelete-melanie