The transition of welfare state commitment : understanding the dynamics of contraction in state welfare

In the 1990s a contraction in state welfare in Sweden has been on its way and still seems to be so by joining forces. With focus on understanding the dynamics involved in the contractionprocess this paper aims to discuss the transition of welfare state commitment in Sweden. On the general level it should be seen as an attempt to adress the enigmatic and puzzeling questions of: How to explain change in social policy? How to understand local differences in the scope and directions of welfare programs? Over the 1990s we have been witnessing a more sceptical attitude towards the provision of state welfare. It has been argued that state welfare surpresses free choice and that budget deficits and tax burdens have become obstacles to extensive public committments. Closely linked to this (neo-liberal) thinking is the incentive-driven approach to the problems of public welfare, grounded in neo-classical economic theory. Focusing on individual behavior in terms of scrounging, dependancy, lack of responsibility and praise of market-solutions, the new discourse has replaced the traditional socialdemocratic rethorics of autonomy, redistribution and equality. The effect of this new focus is seen both in the general shifts of policy and in research. However, in this paper we will take on another aspect of the transition of welfare state commitment. The contraction process and the understanding of its dynamics, will lead on to the arena of local priorities and adjustments. The empirical data referred to are primarely data from ongoing research of local and organizational processes of adjustment and priority setting in the area of elderly care in Sweden in the 1990s (Blomberg, Edebalk och Petersson 2000). Basically it is a comparative study of a strategic selection of eight Swedish municipalities. Four of them characterized by extensive reorganization i.e. change in user patterns of home help services and the other four, constituting a reference group, without such changes. The approach is largely retrospective, concerning the years 1992-2000. Interviews with local politicians, administrators, professionals and representatives of the unions and of the elderly were the main sources of data

Managerialism and the care of older people: The Swedish example

In his dissertation Blomberg (2004) investigates into how the care manager reform is incorporated into organizational practice in the care of older people in Sweden. He shows that it is made through different lines of argumentations following one another. Through applying neo-institutional theory this can be understood as “solutions seeking problems to solve” rather than the other way around. In this paper we develop the idea that these findings can be associated with a broader development, i.e. globalization and modernization, which both pressure for reform along lines condensed in the reform agenda of New Public Management (NPM). NPM can be seen as part of globalization. Neo-liberals take up the NPM-agenda off-hand through emphasizing that the role of politics should be restricted. Their arguments are underpinned by neo-classical economics favouring market provision. The arguments in favour of change are centred on individualization and privatization. Modernization was originally brought forward through third way politics practiced by New Labour in Britain. Arguments are centred on opportunity and accountability (Le Grand 1998). It shows a resemblance with arguments filtered through NPM, though stressing elements creating a modernized society. Conclusion: While neo- liberalism uses ideology to shape practice, third way social democracy is letting administrative reform de-ideologize policy. The result is, that through two different lines, the two opposing major political forces in Europe end up with almost the same agenda for reform. Petersson (2006) has argued that taken together this forms a new logic of the welfare state, i.e. the substitution of a moral welfare state for an administrative one centred on managerialism

Implementing a continuum of care model for older people—results from a Swedish case study

Introduction: There is a need for integrated care and smooth collaboration between care-providing organisations and professions to create a continuum of care for frail older people. However, collaboration between organisations and professions is often problematic. The aim of this study was to examine the process of implementing a new continuum of care model in a complex organisational context, and illuminate some of the challenges involved. The introduced model strived to connect three organisations responsible for delivering health and social care to older people: the regional hospital, primary health care and municipal eldercare.Methods: The actions of the actors involved in the process of implementing the model were understood to be shaped by the actors' understanding, commitment and ability. This article is based on 44 qualitative interviews performed on four occasions with 26 key actors at three organisational levels within these three organisations.Results and conclusions: The results point to the importance of paying regard to the different cultures of the organisations when implementing a new model. The role of upper management emerged as very important. Furthermore, to be accepted, the model has to be experienced as effectively dealing with real problems in the everyday practice of the actors in the organisations, from the bottom to the top

Årsbok 2016 : Socialhögskolan, Lunds universitet

Denna årsbok presenterar Socialhögskolans verksamhet för 2016och in mot 2017