Why welfare states depend on economic growth - and how that could change

Join us for this fascinating discussion with Professor Milena Büchs, Professor of Sustainable Welfare at the Sustainability Research Institute, University of Leeds, as we explore the relationship between economic growth and the welfare state.

Critiques of economic growth are receiving increased scientific and public attention. The post-growth literature discusses how wellbeing for all can be achieved within planetary boundaries. However, current welfare states are often seen as growth dependent. The drivers of welfare state growth dependencies and related policy responses remain poorly understood. In this talk, Milena will give an overview of drivers and policy responses based on research which used a semi-systematic literature review and was funded by the Horizon Europe funded MAPS project. The analysis identifies key drivers that the literature discusses such as the growth dependence of employment and related welfare funds, rent extraction and for-profit provisioning, increasing inequality, ageing societies, political power of vested interests, and environmental impacts. Related policy responses proposed in the literature include maintaining employment without growth, using less growth dependent revenues, limiting rent-seeking and political power of vested interests, pre- and redistribution, preventative health approaches and climate change mitigation. The talk will also briefly summarise how the literature discusses the question whether welfare state growth independence can be achieved within a capitalist system.

The event will include a drinks reception, audience Q&A, and an opportunity for informal networking and discussion following the talk. A limited online attendance option will also be available for those unable to join us in person.

About Milena

Milena Büchs is Professor of Sustainable Welfare at the Sustainability Research Institute, University of Leeds, UK. Milena's research focuses on sustainable welfare, eco-social policy, just transitions and climate justice. She has published widely on the relationship between economic growth and welfare states and the question of how welfare states can be transformed so that everyone's needs can be met within planetary limits. Milena is currently a Co-Investigator in two Horizon Europe projects, MAPS - Models, Assessments and Policy for Sustainability, and ToBe - Towards a Sustainable Wellbeing Economy. In MAPS, she is leading a work package on sustainable welfare. Prior to joining the University of Leeds in 2016, she was a Lecturer and Associate Professor in Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Southampton (2005-2016), and completed a PhD in Social Policy at the Humboldt University Berlin.

The session is part of the 'Rethinking Prosperity on a Finite Planet' event series.