Neue Stärken, alte Schwächen. Schwache Interessen in der Sozialpolitik – eine Bestandsaufnahme

This article forms the introductory framework for the other articles within the focus issue, giving an overview of the state of, and the need for, further research in the field of so-called weak interests within the welfare state and their political representation. The authors characterise the representation of weak interests as a dynamic process depending on recent changes in the political arena of the welfare state itself. Technological change through digitalisation is also addressed in terms of its implications for the representation of weak interests. On the one hand, the authors identify a certain selective reinforcement of interests traditionally understood as weak, both in terms of participation and assertiveness, as well as a growing importance of the mode of “self-representation” as compared with “advocatory representation” and “co-determination by (electoral) office”. On the other hand, they also find a remarkably low degree of change when it comes to politically neglected groups such as long-term unemployed people as well as poor families and their children and consider possible causes for this.