Title
Workfare in the undemocratic states : the case of China
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
International Social Work
Publication Date
7-1-2016
Volume
59
Issue
4
First Page
479
Last Page
493
Publisher
Sage Publications Ltd.
Keywords
Administrative litigations, residents’ committee, street office, the minimum living standard scheme, undemocratic state, welfare appeals, workfare
Abstract
This article examines the problems caused by workfare in China. It is found that China’s public assistance scheme is managed mainly by volunteers and government officials who do not necessarily possess relevant qualifications. Also, welfare claimants’ benefits can be ceased without going through a rigorous procedure; they can hardly challenge the decisions of the authority because China’s judicial system is interfered by central and local senior officials. This article concludes that workfare is a product of Western democratic countries; its implementation in undemocratic states will only increase power abuses among welfare bureaucrats and threaten the rights of claimants.
DOI
10.1177/0020872814559560
Print ISSN
00208728
E-ISSN
14617234
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2016 SAGE Publications. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Chan, C. K., & Ngok, K. (2016). Workfare in the undemocratic states: The case of China. International Social Work, 59(4), 479-493. doi: 10.1177/0020872814559560
