An Exploration Of The Impetus To The Postwar British Welfare Reforms From The Perspective Of Power Came

In modern western industrial society with diversified interest subjects, gamebetween different power subjects becomes a decisive factor contributing to theinstitutional transformation. This thesis is an attempt to analyze the impetus topostwar British welfare reforms from the perspective of power game, which takescomponents of a game as a horizontal axis, and three significant turning periods ofwelfare reforms as vertical axis of time.On the basis of research into the power game between government and pressuregroups in the course of British welfare reforms from the1940s to the beginning of21century, the paper focuses on different relationship and power contrast betweengovernment and pressure groups, strategies applied by the two blocs, and the impactof power game on game participants and welfare reforms at the three stages of welfarereform.Firstly, at the establishing stage of welfare system from the1940s to the1970s,the relationship between government and pressure groups is generally interdependentand harmonious; the strategy they applied is extensive cooperation based on policyconsultation and participation; the impact on game participants is the realization of awin-win deal and on welfare system is the establishment of a complete welfare systemand the formation of a basic framework for latter welfare construction, and the sproutof welfare spending deficit and welfare dependency culture.Secondly, at the stage of restructured welfare state from the end of1970s to1997,government and major pressure groups conflict with each other and government gainsthe upper hand of the game; the strategy they adopted is mainly non-cooperative evenconfrontational; the result of confrontation between government and pressure groupsis that vulnerable groups’ welfare benefits are slashed， the welfare principle ofuniversality is replaced by selectivity and state intervention in welfare distribution isdisplaced by market regulation.Finally, at the stage of modern welfare state which is claimed by New Labor, government and pressure groups are in a state of check and balance; they eithercooperate or conflict with each other; the impact of the game is that disadvantagedgroups’ welfare benefits are further trimmed with government propaganda of‘workfare’ and that government’s endeavor to curtail welfare expenses is confrontedwith great resistance from the public. New Labor’s welfare reforms have difficultytaking a step forward.In conclusion, an analysis of the three aspects mentioned above demonstratesthat the relationship and power contrast between government and pressure groups,strategies applied by the two blocs of power game, and the impact of the previousround of power game on game participants and welfare reforms are vital factorsdetermining the general orientation, emphasis and final effectiveness of the newwelfare reforms. It is of great significance to have a better command of powermechanism in the development of British welfare system as well as exploration offeasible development road of welfare system in China if proper understanding is to beobtained about the impetus to British welfare reforms from the perspective of powergame.