Disability and the Contract for Income Support in the Modern Welfare State

Abstract:     
In most countries with substantial disability benefit schemes, the number of beneficiaries has increased dramatically over the past twenty-five years; as a result, they are facing strong pressure to reform those schemes and to reduce the number of persons on the disability rolls. Some policy measures focus on reforming particular aspects of the relevant scheme, such as the amount of benefits or the process for determining eligibility. Others address broader issues, such as the definition of disability or the influence of demographic changes. Most, however, reflect a common pattern that signals a shift in emphasis toward the importance of individuals' employment opportunities and responsibilities and away from society's obligation to provide income support. This paper examines these current trends in disability policy, with particular reference to the influence that social contract theory can have on the structure and administration of reformed disability benefit schemes. Drawing on social contract literature that seeks to address the needs of persons with disabilities, the paper concludes that social contract theory can help guide social security policy makers toward implementing employment-related disability benefit schemes that are consistent with the needs of the modern welfare state.

Keywords: disability, social security, social welfare, social contract

Working Paper Series