The deconstruction of the welfare state implicates a new understanding for the term risk. Risk is defined as a threat of damage or any other negative consequence, that is the result of the some internal or external vulnerability, which could have been avoided through preemptive action (Aven, 2008). The initial institution of the welfare state was designed to prevent risk, specifically risks to stability, security and prosperity in daily lives presented by the economic collapse after the first World War (Graham, Swift & Delaney, 2007). According to Phillips (2012) the Harper government set forth its ‘law and order’ agenda ignoring new social risks caused by the deterioration of the welfare state. Still, it is possible that Harper’s neoliberalist techniques used for neoconservative ends have just redefined ‘risk’ to assume those in need of welfare are the ‘risk’.
The argument has been made that people in the state of poverty and disadvantage are responsible for their circumstances (Graham, Swift & Delaney, 2007). Moreover, this neoliberalist framework presents with an anti-welfare undertone to prevent the dependency that destroys individual freedom and undermines personal responsibility. Nevertheless, this action may not only be widening the gap of inequality in an attempt to ‘stimulate the economy’ but translucently oppressing …show more content…
Yet, the warehousing of criminals may also be seen as a thinly veiled attempt to remove the overarching need for certain social services. To elaborate, the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for minor crimes not only disregards the social needs of these individuals but removes them from society altogether. Therefore, in theory only contributing members of society exist because those that have ‘denoted’ themselves to disadvantageous circumstances are defined as a ‘risk’ and thereby handled as such through
The argument has been made that people in the state of poverty and disadvantage are responsible for their circumstances (Graham, Swift & Delaney, 2007). Moreover, this neoliberalist framework presents with an anti-welfare undertone to prevent the dependency that destroys individual freedom and undermines personal responsibility. Nevertheless, this action may not only be widening the gap of inequality in an attempt to ‘stimulate the economy’ but translucently oppressing …show more content…
Yet, the warehousing of criminals may also be seen as a thinly veiled attempt to remove the overarching need for certain social services. To elaborate, the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for minor crimes not only disregards the social needs of these individuals but removes them from society altogether. Therefore, in theory only contributing members of society exist because those that have ‘denoted’ themselves to disadvantageous circumstances are defined as a ‘risk’ and thereby handled as such through