Chapter 15 Flashcards
(12 cards)
Compared to Northwest Europe, welfare state expansion in South European countries proceeded
with a considerable time lag. Which two areas were prioritised?
The correct answers are:
- Social insurance
- Healthcare
In Southern European countries, welfare state expansion proceeded with a considerable time lag compared to Northwest Europe. When it did expand, these countries tended to prioritize social assistance (for the most vulnerable groups) and healthcare (as many Southern European countries implemented national healthcare systems later than their Northern counterparts). The development of social insurance and social services came somewhat later in these countries.
Which state decided in mid-2009 to “the current balance between state, market, and family
should be shifted in favour or more market, more family, and less state”?
Choose one option.
Portugal
Italy
Spain
Greece
The correct answer is Italy.
In mid-2009, the Italian government decided that the balance between state, market, and family should shift towards more market and family involvement, with less reliance on the state. This reflected a move towards a more liberal approach to welfare, reducing public spending on social programs and emphasizing private sector and family-based care instead.
Q: Why did Southern European countries lag behind in welfare state development?
A: Due to late industrialization, political instability, and rent-seeking, clientelistic governance.
Q: How is the Southern European welfare model different from Esping-Andersen’s three welfare regimes?
A: It is a hybrid model with Bismarckian pensions, elements of social-democratic healthcare, and liberal-style social assistance.
Q: What role do religious organizations play in Southern Europe’s welfare system?
A: Especially in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, the Catholic Church has historically filled welfare gaps, unlike in the Orthodox Balkans.
Q: What major problem did SE welfare states face during the 2008 crisis?
A: Severe austerity measures imposed by the EU/IMF (Troika), which led to deep cuts in social spending and reforms without national democratic processes.
Q: What are the main social challenges currently facing these welfare states?5
A: High unemployment (especially youth), pension sustainability, healthcare cuts, inequality, and weakening of universal social protection.
Q: How did Spain differ in its approach to welfare reform compared to Greece?
A: Spain pursued earlier and steadier reforms with stronger social consensus, while Greece faced frequent reform failures, policy stalemates, and only acted under crisis pressure.
Q: What are the implications of the insider/outsider divide in the labor market?
A: It leads to inequality between secure workers (insiders) and those in unstable jobs or the informal economy (outsiders), worsening social protection gaps.
Q: What were some key reforms introduced after the 2008 crisis?
A: Pension cuts, labor market flexibilization, public sector downsizing, cuts in healthcare and social services, and tighter social benefit eligibility.
Q: What political shifts resulted from austerity policies?
A: Decline of traditional parties and rise of anti-austerity parties (e.g., SYRIZA in Greece, Five Star Movement in Italy).
Q: Is there still a distinct Southern European welfare model?
A: The concept is increasingly questioned due to different national paths and coming together toward neoliberal reforms.
