Changing governance, changing needs interpretations: implications for universalism

Abstract

Purpose

The paper seeks to explore how universal welfare arrangements based on needs testing may change and assume different institutional forms. Drawing attention to Norwegian home care, the paper explores how established interpretations of needs and associated notions of equity among needs have been challenged by shifting modes of governance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on policy documents, interviews and observation from three different case studies undertaken at different points in time representing different eras of governance. From this perspective, the study examines the role of professionals taking part in needs assessment.

Findings

The studies indicate that routines for needs assessment in home care are contingent on shifting logics of governance. A shift in policy of needs testing may be described as a shift from a personal situated approach encouraging “creative justice” towards a detached and impartial approach better equipped to ensure “proportional justice”. The latter approach has become more dominant as heightened attention has been paid to citizens' rights. It is, however, questionable to what extent it will improve the preconditions for treating citizens with equal concern and respect.

Research limitations/implications

The case study approach underlying the study is incapable of providing generalised conclusions about the development in all Norwegian municipalities.

Originality/value

Universalism is often talked about as a stable feature of the Nordic welfare system. Drawing attention to the underlying and elusive notions of needs, the study makes explicit some unstable aspects of universalism.

Citation

Vabø, M. (2011), "Changing governance, changing needs interpretations: implications for universalism", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 31 No. 3/4, pp. 197-208. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443331111120618