Welfare Debate in Stone Chapter 4

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Questions and Answers

What problem does Stone identify in the debate on whether one should receive welfare assistance or not?

The distinction between need and desire.

Why is need such a strong moral claim? How does defining need become a political contest?

Need is a strong moral claim because it elicits societal response and is agreed upon by all. It becomes a political contest because policymakers portray their program criteria as objective while citizens also portray their desires as objective and impossible to reject.

What's the most basic form of need?

What is necessary for physical survival.

What's the difference between instrumental needs and direct/intrinsic ones?

Instrumental needs are useful as means to other goals, such as healthy growth; intrinsic needs are the primary and direct usefulness of the product or object. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when Stone says some things enhance welfare by their instrumental value, rather than intrinsic value?

Different pills that accommodate different dietary restrictions. Signup and view all the answers

What's the difference between material needs and symbolic needs?

Material needs are required for survival and biological function; symbolic needs include participation in cultural activities. Signup and view all the answers

How does culture influence discussions of need?

Each culture has a different definition of what it means to be human and to have dignity, which influences how public needs are defined and fulfilled. Signup and view all the answers

How does instrumental need shape policy discussions of education, health care, etc.?

In education, it promotes a reliable workforce and addresses inequality; in health care, it aims to ensure health for productivity. Signup and view all the answers

What's the difference between objective and subjective measures of well-being?

Objective measures are fixed, while subjective measures depend on the well-being of others around a person. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between absolute and relative need?

Absolute need is pegged to a fixed point; relative need is pegged to one's place in a distribution of resources within a community. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of a contrast between absolute and relative need in policy.

In the US, you must be unable to earn at least $1,000 per month for disability insurance (absolute); in the Netherlands, you must be unable to earn an average wage in your community (relative). Signup and view all the answers

Thinking about health insurance, why do people 'need' healthy teeth?

Bad teeth prevent individuals from attaining jobs that require presentability, affecting opportunities essential for well-being. Signup and view all the answers

What is the paradox of progress?

The creation of rising expectations and new needs that were nonexistent prior to progress and advancement, such as new surgeries viewed as necessary. Signup and view all the answers

What is moral hazard? Why is there a tradeoff between welfare and efficiency?

Moral hazard refers to the reckless use of social assistance and lack of diligence in preventing illness or meeting needs. The tradeoff rests on the assumption of self-interested individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is the conservative rationale behind work requirements for public assistance?

Policies are designed to prevent immoral behavior and unending welfare. Signup and view all the answers

Does meeting basic needs affect people's motivation to work?

Evidence does not support that; for example, NJ's negative income tax saw no reduction in labor supply. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Welfare Debate and Need

The central issue in welfare debates is differentiating between need and desire.
Need serves as a moral claim, prompting societal obligation and universally recognized validity.
Political discussions often present criteria for need as objective, while citizens assert their desires are equally valid and hard to dismiss.

Forms of Need

Basic Need: Essential for physical survival.
Instrumental Needs: Function as means to other goals, such as promoting healthy growth.
Intrinsic Needs: Valued for their immediate benefits, like happiness from enjoying a cake.

Instruments and Welfare

Items can enhance welfare through instrumental value (e.g., dietary-specific pills) instead of intrinsic appeal.
Material Needs: Necessary for biological survival.
Symbolic Needs: Relate to social and cultural participation (e.g., communal meals).

Cultural Impact on Need

Cultural definitions shape what it means to be human and deserving of dignity, influencing public perceptions of welfare.
Different cultures recognize and fulfill public needs according to their unique values.

Instrumental Need and Policy

In education, instrumental needs focus on creating a capable workforce and addressing inequality through universal access.
Health care discussions are similarly influenced by the need for community wellness and productivity.

Well-being Measures

Objective Measures: Based on quantifiable factors.
Subjective Measures: Depend on individuals’ perception influenced by their social interactions.

Absolute vs. Relative Need

Absolute Need: Defined by a fixed standard (e.g., U.S. disability insurance requiring income below $1,000/month).
Relative Need: Concerned with one’s status compared to community resource distributions (e.g., Netherlands benchmarking against average community wages).

Health Insurance and Employment

Poor dental health can limit job opportunities requiring good presentation, showcasing how health needs connect to employment.

Paradox of Progress

Advances create higher expectations and new perceived needs previously unrecognized, like newer surgeries becoming essential due to their availability.

Moral Hazard and Efficiency

The welfare-efficiency trade-off is influenced by the concept of moral hazard, suggesting individuals may exploit social support, leading to decreased diligence and productivity.

Conservative Perspectives on Welfare

Conservatives advocate for work requirements in welfare programs as a means to discourage perceived immoral dependency and prolonged support.

Motivation and Basic Needs

Research findings indicate that securing basic needs does not diminish work motivation.
Evidence from initiatives like the NJ Negative Income Tax shows no decrease in labor supply, and countries with generous welfare have higher employment rates and better health outcomes.

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Description

Explore the critical perspectives presented by Stone in Chapter 4 regarding welfare assistance. This quiz delves into the moral implications of need versus desire and how these definitions influence political discourse on welfare policy.