Open AccessA different path to individualization of welfare services? Co-production of childcare services in Sweden
Author(s) -
Johan Vamstad
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
politica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2246-042X
pISSN - 0105-0710
DOI - 10.7146/politica.v47i2.131469
Subject(s) - production (economics) , welfare state , welfare , social welfare , citizenship , politics , competition (biology) , business , public economics , market economy , state (computer science) , economics , economic system , economic growth , political science , microeconomics , ecology , algorithm , computer science , law , biology
The Swedish welfare state has in recent years undergone extensive reforms that have allowed quasi-markets to be formed in several social service areas. The establishment of these quasi-markets has been said to ensure greater individual freedom as well as competition between service providers that will create greater efficiency and better quality. But are quasi-markets really the only means to reach these goals? This paper studies how co-production can be used to reach the same or similar goals. The possibilities of co-production in the welfare state and its significance for what Marshall called social citizenship will be presented, using results from a research project on co-production. The results will show that co-production, like quasi-markets, has its limitations – especially with regard to marginalized groups in society – but that co-production has the potential to combine individualization of social services with social cohesion, provided that there is a political will to do so.