Welfare Policies - Canada and Sweden

Paper Summary:

This paper compares Sweden's and Canada's welfare policies and provides examples of differing welfare cultures that speak of each country's values. The author compares both countries' welfare policy in the areas of labor market, healthcare and family benefits and uses these comparisons to illustrate the differences in efficacy between the institutional and residual welfare models as used by Sweden and Canada respectively. Through these comparisons, the paper finds that, while Canada's welfare policy reflects the liberal value of minimal state interference, Sweden's universal programs benefit the entire nation, creating a strong sense of cohesion amongst its citizens.

From the Paper:

"In most developed countries, the notion of a welfare state is a common yet controversial one. Along the political spectrum ideas regarding acceptable levels of state provided welfare are varying. If you were of the belief that welfare is a public good, then you would subscribe to the notion of state funded welfare. Yet, if you believe welfare is a private good, the provision of welfare by the state would infringe on the freedom of the individual. These differences in ideologies can be examined through the welfare policy adopted by a country."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Anderson, K (2001).Politics of Retrenchment in a Social Democratic Welfare State: Reform of Swedish Pensions and Unemployment Insurance". Comparative Political Studies. 34, 1063-1091.
• Finkel, Alvin (2006). Social Policy and Practice in Canada: A History. Waterloo, On: Waterloo University Press.
• Hankivsky, Olena (2004). Social Policy and the Ethic of Care. Vancouver, BC: UBC Press.
• Olsen, Gregg M. (2002). The Politics of the Welfare State: Canada, Sweden, and the United States. Canada: Oxford University Press.
• Puttee, Alan (Ed.). (2002). Federalism, Democracy and Disability Policy in Canada. Kingston, On: McGill-Queen's University Press.

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