Common paths, divergent patterns: The social protection by other means approach in Australia and Japan. (25th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hwang, Gyu‐Jin
• Is Part Of: International journal of social welfare. Volume 25:Number 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 36
• Page End: 46
• Publication Date: 2015-02-25
• Subjects: Australia -- Japan -- economic liberalisation -- social protection -- institutions; Social service -- Periodicals; Public welfare -- Periodicals; Social service -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; Public welfare -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; 361
• DOI: 10.1111/ijsw.12161
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-6866

Abstract

Abstract : This article reports on a study of the welfare reform trajectories of two countries that are often identified in the literature as having institutional patterns of the 'social protection by the other means' approach. It is questioned in the article whether these two countries have undergone a converging reform trajectory against the increasing forces of economic liberalisation and whether their distinct ways of doing social policy have now come to an end. It argues that while both Australia and Japan have followed a similar neoliberal path in their social policy reform direction, the forms and patterns they have taken to follow have been distinct, largely aligned with the existing structure of social protection in each. Distinctive strategies of welfare adopted by each country have led to a divergent pattern in their way of doing social policy.