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Balancing instrumental rationality with value rationality: towards avoiding the pitfalls of the productivist ageing policy in the EU and the UK

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Listed:
  • Jianbin Xu

    (Xihua University)

  • Longtao He

    (Southwestern University of Finance and Economics)

  • Henghan Chen

    (Huaqiao University)

Abstract

The current dominant approach to active ageing policy in the EU and the UK is the productivist approach. Drawing on Weber’s concepts of instrumental rationality and value rationality, this article argues that this approach is principally informed by instrumental rationality and thus has the potential to instrumentalize older persons, to become an oppressive ideological narrative, and to ignore the unique developmental meanings in late life. To avoid these pitfalls, the article proposes balancing instrumental rationality with value rationality. The balancing can occur in three dimensions. First, the value of internally oriented activities for late life should be recognized. Second, the value of participatory policy development needs to be upheld. Third, the value of meaning-in-life for the well-being and growth of older adults should be validated.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianbin Xu & Longtao He & Henghan Chen, 2020. "Balancing instrumental rationality with value rationality: towards avoiding the pitfalls of the productivist ageing policy in the EU and the UK," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 251-257, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:17:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s10433-019-00527-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-019-00527-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Neal Krause, 2009. "Meaning in Life and Mortality," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 64(4), pages 517-527.
    2. Gørill Haugan, 2014. "Meaning‐in‐life in nursing‐home patients: a valuable approach for enhancing psychological and physical well‐being?," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(13-14), pages 1830-1844, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Susanne Iwarsson & Marja J. Aartsen & Morten Wahrendorf & Matthias Kliegel, 2021. "What will the horrible year of 2020 bring to the future of ageing research?," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 1-3, March.

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