Mapping the Perceived Importance of Actors in Social Policy Accountability Across Welfare State Regimes: An Assessment Made by Academic Experts

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article examines the role of a range of actors in social policy accountability across different welfare regimes, with a focus on Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, and Spain. Using a survey conducted with academic experts in these four countries, we examine the perceived importance attributed to political institutions, public bodies, and stakeholders. These include governments, political parties, parliaments, autonomous bodies, market-oriented actors, and societal actors. We examine the perceived role of each actor in influencing relationships of social policy accountability between governments and citizens. By doing so, we identify whether social policy accountability modes are primarily based on a supply-side/proactive pattern, where governments responsible for implementing policies play a key role in implementing accountability measures, or on a demand-side/reactive pattern, where the various forums (such as political institutions, autonomous watchdogs, and societal actors) are seen as the most important actors for accountability. Related Articles: Luypaert, Anouk, and Peter Thijssen. 2024. “The comparative politics of solidarity: Political party discourse across three welfare state regimes.” Politics & Policy 52 (5): 935–962. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12625. Mioni, Michele, 2021. “The ‘Good Citizen’ as a ‘Respectable Worker:’ State, Unemployment, and Social Policy in the United Kingdom and Italy, 1930 to 1950.” Politics & Policy 49 (4): 913–39. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12425. Wagle, Udaya R. 2014. “The Heterogeneity Politics of the Welfare State: Changing Population Heterogeneity and Welfare State Policies in High-Income OECD Countries, 1980-2005.” Politics & Policy 41 (6): 947–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12053.