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VOL. 6, ISSUE 1 (2024)
Welfare state and neoliberalism in France since 1990: A critical analysis
Authors
Prem Bahadur Manjhi
Abstract
This article explores the evolution of the
French welfare state under the influence of neoliberal ideologies since 1990.
The analysis highlights key reforms, political discourses, and socio-economic
shifts, considering the tension between welfare commitments and market-oriented
policies. It evaluates how neoliberalism has reshaped welfare provision, social
solidarity, and public sector responsibilities. The study analyses how
neoliberalism has influenced the structure and principles of the French welfare
state since 1990 and also the socio-political implications of these changes.
The study also argues that Neoliberal policies implemented in France since 1990
have progressively eroded the foundational principles of the welfare state,
leading to increased socio-economic inequality, reduced public sector capacity,
and a shift toward individual responsibility in social welfare. This study
adopts a qualitative methodology using historical-institutionalist and
discourse analysis. Primary sources include government reports and policy
documents, parliamentary debates, and presidential addresses, speeches, and
media coverage. Secondary sources consist of academic journals, books, and
institutional reports from organizations such as OECD, Eurostat. The analysis
is structured chronologically, focusing on major reform periods and situating
them within broader ideological and institutional shifts. A chronological
approach is employed, focusing on key periods: post-Maastricht (1990s), the
Sarkozy-Hollande austerity years (2007–2017), and Macron’s presidency since
2017.
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Pages:69-77
How to cite this article:
Prem Bahadur Manjhi "Welfare state and neoliberalism in France since 1990: A critical analysis". International Journal of Sociology and Political Science, Vol 6, Issue 1, 2024, Pages 69-77
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