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Theories of the welfare state: a critique

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  • Gough, Ian

Abstract

The article considers three major non-Marxist explanations of the modern welfare state: functionalist sociological theories, economic theories of government policy, and pluralist theories of democracy. Each is subjected to a critique and all are found wanting, in that none can satisfactorily explain the observable similarities and differences in state welfare intervention within advanced capitalist countries. Functionalist theories can explain the dominant trends at work within all countries, but not the immense diversity in state policies which still persists. Economic and pluralist theories can explain the diversity but not the determinant trends. This failing is related to the separation of objective and subjective aspects in historical explanation: the first school objectifies history, the second subjectifies it. The article concludes by asserting, but not arguing, that a Marxist approach offers a more fruitful way of understanding the welfare state, insofar as it rejects this separation.

Suggested Citation

  • Gough, Ian, 1978. "Theories of the welfare state: a critique," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 60805, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:60805
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/60805/
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    1. Gough, Ian, 1975. "State expenditure in advanced capitalism," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 51145, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    JEL classification:

    • E6 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook

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