Social Protection and Nation-Building: an Essay on Why and How Universalist Social Policy Contributes to Stable Nation-States

Abstract

Unmistakably, the growth of social protection systems and the development of nation-states in the advanced capitalist world are closely associated. This chapter argues that universalist elements of social protection systems contribute to state- and nation-building and therefore are potentially strong building blocks for stable political and economic systems in less advanced economies. I will explore:

• 1. how exactly the development of social protection systems and the building of nations were associated in some European countries;

• 2. what political theory and political economy teach us about the link;

• 3. how universal social benefits contribute to stable non-violent nationbuilding; and

• 4. how far universal family benefits can lessen poverty and inequality and play their part in relatively extensive but simple social protection systems.