Research Article Open Access

Towards Two-tier Universalism? A Discussion of the Welfare Principle

Catharina Juul Kristensen

Abstract

In this study the common political discourse on the ‘challenge of immigration’ to the Danish welfare state is turned on its head. Instead of focusing on the costs and difficulties of immigration, the focus is first upon the challenge that recent policies on immigration and integration constitute to the principle of universalism; and second upon the ability of the principle to encompass ethnic diversity. It is argued that a revision of the implicit normativity of the Danish welfare state is necessary in order to secure equality for all groups of society and positive selective measures based on recognition and status equality are proposed as a possible theoretical tool to further this.

Journal of Social Sciences
Volume 3 No. 2, 2007, 52-59

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/jssp.2007.52.59

Submitted On: 9 February 2007 Published On: 30 June 2007

How to Cite: Kristensen, C. J. (2007). Towards Two-tier Universalism? A Discussion of the Welfare Principle. Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2), 52-59. https://doi.org/10.3844/jssp.2007.52.59

  • 3,280 Views
  • 2,252 Downloads
  • 6 Citations

Download

Keywords

  • The principle of universalism
  • the Danish welfare state
  • integration and immigration policies
  • theoretical alternatives