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Patterns of Institutional Change in Minimum Income Protection in Sweden and Germany

Angelin, Anna LU ; Johansson, Håkan LU and Koch, Max LU (2014) In Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy 30(2). p.165-179
Abstract
Germany is generally regarded as a case of qualitative “change” in minimum income protection (MIP) schemes, while Sweden is perceived as one of institutional “inertia”.This paper seeks to qualify this view by embedding developments in MIP in wider policy and governance trends. Empirically, it is based on document analysis and

qualitative expert interviews in the two countries. Theoretically, the paper applies recent institutional approaches that address patterns of change in more complex ways. In Sweden, an exclusive focus on formal continuity regarding social assistance would

disguise its change in function from temporary security system of last resort into one that permanently provides income protection when neighboring... (More)
Germany is generally regarded as a case of qualitative “change” in minimum income protection (MIP) schemes, while Sweden is perceived as one of institutional “inertia”.This paper seeks to qualify this view by embedding developments in MIP in wider policy and governance trends. Empirically, it is based on document analysis and

qualitative expert interviews in the two countries. Theoretically, the paper applies recent institutional approaches that address patterns of change in more complex ways. In Sweden, an exclusive focus on formal continuity regarding social assistance would

disguise its change in function from temporary security system of last resort into one that permanently provides income protection when neighboring policy fields,unemployment and sickness insurance, are downsized. Conversely, in Germany a merger of social assistance and unemployment assistance took place. Yet an exclusive

focus on the Hartz reforms would downplay the degree of continuity that nevertheless exists in the unemployment insurance. (Less)
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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Incremental institutional change, minimum income protection, social assistance, welfare reforms, Sweden, Germany
in
Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy
volume
30
issue
2
pages
165 - 179
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:84904195447
ISSN
2169-9763
DOI
10.1080/21699763.2014.937584
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
837f5d10-57c0-4b82-b833-04440d3ae7ad (old id 4560430)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 11:04:18
date last changed
2022-03-27 22:00:56
@article{837f5d10-57c0-4b82-b833-04440d3ae7ad,
  abstract     = {{Germany is generally regarded as a case of qualitative “change” in minimum income protection (MIP) schemes, while Sweden is perceived as one of institutional “inertia”.This paper seeks to qualify this view by embedding developments in MIP in wider policy and governance trends. Empirically, it is based on document analysis and<br/><br>
qualitative expert interviews in the two countries. Theoretically, the paper applies recent institutional approaches that address patterns of change in more complex ways. In Sweden, an exclusive focus on formal continuity regarding social assistance would<br/><br>
disguise its change in function from temporary security system of last resort into one that permanently provides income protection when neighboring policy fields,unemployment and sickness insurance, are downsized. Conversely, in Germany a merger of social assistance and unemployment assistance took place. Yet an exclusive<br/><br>
focus on the Hartz reforms would downplay the degree of continuity that nevertheless exists in the unemployment insurance.}},
  author       = {{Angelin, Anna and Johansson, Håkan and Koch, Max}},
  issn         = {{2169-9763}},
  keywords     = {{Incremental institutional change; minimum income protection; social assistance; welfare reforms; Sweden; Germany}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{165--179}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy}},
  title        = {{Patterns of Institutional Change in Minimum Income Protection in Sweden and Germany}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21699763.2014.937584}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/21699763.2014.937584}},
  volume       = {{30}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}