Private social protection schemes and social service providers have become increasingly important in the delivery of welfare in advanced economies. How did this happen, and why does it matter? This module investigates the politics of expanding the private sector, examining who the new and old welfare providers are and how they are regulated. This module takes an inherently comparative approach, drawing from European and wider international cases and how this applies to Switzerland.
First, the module introduces the politics and policy drivers that shape the privatisation of welfare delivery. The focus will be on pensions and schools, but other social policy areas such as health, child care, long-term care and housing will be addressed. Second, students learn about the emerging for-profit and non-profit providers and how they are competing with each other. The focus is on the Logic model and the management, accountability and regulation of these providers. As part of this course, students will focus in teams on one provider and produce a case study on welfare provider.
Third, the module shows how service users navigate choices between providers and products. A key focus is on the interaction between policies, regulations, culture and user choices, drawing from behavioural economics and sociology. In the final section, the outcomes of welfare privatisation and marketisation are discussed. A holistic assessment of outcomes with regard to trust, inequality and well-being is covered.
- Enseignant·e: Monica Budowski
- Enseignant·e: Etienne Raemy
- Enseignant·e: Silke Daniela Tissi