17. The Politics and Policies Shaping Access to Social Rights: Rethinking Social Citizenship Amidst Global Challenges

Ivana Dobrotic (University of Zagreb)

Sonja Blum (Bielefeld University) 

The evolving global landscape of labour market deregulation, changing family situations (including the gendered division of responsibilities), migrations, austerity and the climate crisis present unprecedented challenges to traditional notions of social citizenship and social rights. As welfare states grapple with these transformations, persistent inequalities in access to social rights are brought to the forefront, raising critical questions about how entitlement principles, eligibility criteria, and other elements of social rights intersect to shape resources and outcomes for diverse populations. Traditional concepts of social citizenship, that is, dominant ideological notions about the state’s role in providing individuals with resources and opportunities, embedded in welfare state designs are increasingly scrutinised for their capacity to address structural changes equitably, calling for a rethinking of social citizenship and, in particular, the inclusiveness and adequacy of social rights. At the same time, we witness increasingly challenged politics of shaping access to social rights, with difficulties in finding social policy compromises in diverse government coalitions, or with the rising populist radical right (PRR) parties putting social groups’ ‘undeservingness’ of welfare access centre stage.  

To better understand the challenges confronting citizens and welfare states, this stream invites papers exploring the evolving dimensions of social citizenship. Contributions critically assessing the frameworks, concepts, politics and policies shaping access to social rights today are especially welcome. We encourage submissions that delve into the complex, multiple, and intersectional inequalities underlying welfare regimes and social rights designs, policymaking processes, and outcomes. Papers applying critical approaches, challenging existing social policy designs in light of growing diversity, and offering new insights into the institutional evolution of welfare states are particularly encouraged. Submissions from all geographical contexts employing diverse theoretical, analytical, and methodological approaches are welcome. 

Papers may address, but are not limited to, the following questions: 

- What is the state of the art (concept, theories, methods, evidence) in studying the politics and policies of access to social rights and social citizenship? 

- How do contemporary welfare policies redefine social citizenship in face of current challenges, particularly with a view to multiple and intersectional inequalities in access to social rights? 

- What is therein the role of different entitlement principles (citizenship, employment, or need)? 

- How do policy characteristics such as eligibility or the scope of rights affect various social groups and individuals?

- What are policy actors’ and public perceptions of social citizenship, including the deservingness and undeservingness of different groups in society, and with what effects? 

- What are the implications of shifting work and family situations, choices, lifestyles and lifecycles for traditional notions of social citizenship and the inclusiveness of social rights? 

- What innovative approaches have emerged to extend social rights to economically marginalised groups (e.g. temporary workers or precarious employees), migrants, different families or other disadvantaged groups and individuals? 

- What lessons can be drawn from contrasting welfare regimes in addressing inequalities in access to social rights? 

- How can welfare systems better accommodate migrants, atypical and temporary workers, LGBTQ+ families, lone parents and other individuals often excluded by current social systems?