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Obfuscating Retrenchment: Swedish Welfare Policy in the 1990s

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  • LINDBOM, ANDERS

Abstract

Cutbacks in thirteen Swedish transfer programmes are analysed to evaluate the argument that explaining welfare retrenchment is a different enterprise from explaining welfare expansion. The conclusion is that the ‘New politics of welfare’ is of major importance in the Swedish context, not only in the Anglo-Saxon context that Paul Pierson studied. Programmes relatively susceptible to non-transparent reforms have suffered larger cutbacks than other programs. Non-indexed programmes present opportunities for cutbacks by non-decision and are particularly vulnerable to obfuscation. Hence we have a politics of blame-avoidance rather than one of credit-claiming. Pensions are among the least targeted for cuts because pensioners’ organisations that emerged as the welfare state matured have gained influence at the cost of unions.

Suggested Citation

  • Lindbom, Anders, 2007. "Obfuscating Retrenchment: Swedish Welfare Policy in the 1990s," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 27(2), pages 129-150, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jnlpup:v:27:y:2007:i:02:p:129-150_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Loretta Lees & David Ley, 2008. "Introduction to Special Issue on Gentrification and Public Policy," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 45(12), pages 2379-2384, November.
    2. Staffan Kumlin, 2011. "Claiming blame and giving credit? Unintended effects of how government and opposition frame the Europeanization of welfare," European Union Politics, , vol. 12(4), pages 575-595, December.

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