Reconciling security with flexibility: a few questions

A significant part of the recent literature dedicated to welfare state analysis has focused on the direction of future reforms of the welfare state. In particular, numerous authors have focused on how to reconcile flexible employment patterns with some form of security for the individual. In this regard, the transitional labour market (TLM) approach of Günther Schmid, as well as proposals put forward in the Supiot report, have attracted significant attention. The aim of this article is to introduce a few elements into the current debate on these proposals. The authors examine the potential, as well as the possible shortcomings, of the two above-mentioned approaches. They stress the need for additional clarifications regarding the possible policy proposals these approaches might result in, especially from the point of view of security for persons subjected to the possible resulting labour practices and social security provisions. The article then proposes a framework that could be used to evaluate such policy implementations while taking into account, in a longitudinal perspective, the multidimensional character of security on the labour market. Finally, based on Amartya Sen’ s theoretical framework (the capability approach), the article discusses the need for further research on the normative assumptions underlying welfare state reforms.