The three political economies of the welfare state
"The three political economies of the welfare state," Gosta EspingAndersen. Revue Canadienne de Sociologie/Canadian Review of Sociology 26.1 (1989): 10-36.
Synopsis of the Text
The article contends that the extensive debate on the welfare state has failed to generate a debate on the real answers concerning the causes and nature of the welfare state's development.
The key question has been addressed.
The author wonders whether social citizenship lowers class importance. The topic is reframed: can a welfare state change a capitalist society? (EspingAndersen 11).
The main point of the author
The main argument of the article is to advance the intellectual debate of the political economy, which puts a sharp focus and specific salient attributes of a welfare state.
Critical theories and concepts presented
The article seeks to define the welfare state theoretical paradigm. In this case, the welfare state encompasses state accountability for securing a few primary aspects of welfare for its inhabitants (Esping‐Andersen18).
The social democratic theory described advances one of the modern models of the welfare state discussion. The argument is that the mobilization of the political class will allow the comprehension of socialist principles.
Relevance of the text and themes
The week's reading is about sociology. The text advances an important aspect of sociology, which is the point of social democracy that embraces reforms in the political model as a central strategy for socialism and egalitarianism.
Author’s Methodology
The authors have reviewed the influences of comparative studies on the progression of the welfare states in developed capitalist states.
Weaknesses and strengths of the article
Strength
The article applied a social democratic theory as a leading model for the discussion of the welfare state.
Weakness
The article has been inadequate in specifying the circumstances for power mobilization.
Questions for discussion
Is there a potential for the welfare state to alter a capitalist society in fundamental ways?
Should liberal organizations influence the development of welfare states?
Part 2: Race and Ethnicity in Latin America
My favorite argument concerns the issue raised by De la Fuente about Teodoro Blanco. Ramos stressed the requirement for establishing an honest nationwide culture whereby the blacks’ race blackness is not diminished to just a decorative aspect in an exotic setting (De la Fuente 185). A question I would like to discuss because of facing a challenge in understanding it is a description of the role of race and how it leads to classes as demonstrated by the Cuban society (De la Fuente 4).
Works Cited
De la Fuente, Alejandro. A nation for all: Race, inequality, and politics in twentieth-century Cuba.North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press, 2001.
Esping‐Andersen, Gosta. “The three political economies of the welfare state.” Canadian Review of Sociology/Revue Canadienne de Sociologie 26.1 (1989): 10-36.
