Democracy Can’t Survive Without the Welfare State
- Adam Baltner
Wherever we see rising tides of authoritarianism, we can link it to the systematic destruction of the welfare state.
An Uber Eats rider cycles through central London on February 16, 2018 in London, England. Jack Taylor / Getty Images
Claus Offe is one of the most famous sociologists and political scientists in Germany. His research on the structural problems of late capitalism and his recent interventions in European politics have been touchstones for critical social research and the Left.
In this interview, Maya Razmadze speaks to him about the future of work, the instability inherent to even the strongest economies, and why the development of the welfare state has been crucial to democracy.
Maya Razmadze
One of the most well-known attempts to define work goes back to the philosopher Hannah Arendt. She illustrated that the modern era began when work was elevated to the level of a fundamental human activity. However, over the last century, this led to the total transformation of society into a “work society,” in which work itself became synonymous with gainful employment. What are the characteristics of such a society?
Claus Offe
Sorry, but this article is available to active subscribers only. Please log in or become a subscriber.