Automating the welfare state: Consequences and challenges for the organisation of solidarity

Abstract

Technological progress disrupted the organisation of solidarity for ages, and today’s fourth industrial revolution is no different. The widespread use of digital technology is changing the organisation of the post-war welfare state and affecting its potential to ensure a decent living standard for everyone. In this chapter, I focus on two understudied ways in which solidarities are shifting in the welfare state: how new digital technologies undermine the potential of social insurance techniques to organise social protection and how the use of predictive statistical tools instead of human discretion is changing the way social rights and benefits are granted. The consequences of these trends towards automation can be profound. The chapter concludes by highlighting some challenges for the future organisation of welfare state solidarity.