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Beyond Contradictions of the Workfare State? Denmark, Welfare-through-Work, and the Promise of Job Rotation

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  • David Etherington

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, England)

  • Martin Jones

    (Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth SY23 3DB, Wales)

Abstract

The reform of the British welfare state through the Labour Party's welfare-to-work initiative is beginning to generate considerable debate. Research is revealing that, amongst other things, supply-side interventions are not sufficient on their own to build skilled, dynamic, and socially inclusive economies. Although there is an emerging consensus that welfare-to-work is deeply problematic, in UK debates there has been a degree of reluctance to discuss workable alternatives. This paper stimulates debate by focusing on Denmark's labour-market and welfare reforms during the 1990s. As part of a ‘welfare- through -work’ model, fostered on a negotiated and inclusive system of welfare reform, Denmark has followed a strategy that appears to deliver both economic competitiveness and social cohesion, and also raises critical questions around labour market inequalities and the distribution of work. We suggest that the Danish experience can shed light on tensions currently being experienced within Britain. Attention is specifically paid to the origins, development, and promises of job rotation—a radical work-sharing initiative that is being flagged by the European Commission as the good-practice model for ‘sustainable employment’ and ‘lifelong learning’. We argue that important connections exist between the structure of labour-market representation, which is mediated through the social and political forces that can gain access to the state apparatus, and the patterns of policy interventions and their outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • David Etherington & Martin Jones, 2004. "Beyond Contradictions of the Workfare State? Denmark, Welfare-through-Work, and the Promise of Job Rotation," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 22(1), pages 129-148, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirc:v:22:y:2004:i:1:p:129-148
    DOI: 10.1068/c28m
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Graham Haughton & Martin Jones & Jamie Peck & Adam Tickell & Aidan While, 2000. "Labour Market Policy as Flexible Welfare: Prototype Employment Zones and the New Workfarism," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(7), pages 669-680, October.
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    4. Oecd, 1998. "Key Employment Policy Challenges Faced by OECD Countries," OECD Labour Market and Social Policy Occasional Papers 31, OECD Publishing.
    5. Robert G. Fay, 1996. "Enhancing the Effectiveness of Active Labour Market Policies: Evidence from Programme Evaluations in OECD Countries," OECD Labour Market and Social Policy Occasional Papers 18, OECD Publishing.
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