IMPLICATIONS OF SUBSIDIARITY FOR THE CARE OF OLDER-PEOPLE IN GERMANY

This paper examines definitions and origins of the principle of subsid iarity and its application to welfare systems of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) with particular reference to the care of older people . The German corporatist welfare system is influenced by conservative views about status relations and Catholic teachings on family responsi bilities. Since unification of Germany in 1990 new care systems based on the principle of subsidiarity have been imposed in eastern Germany. The FRG's social insurance system based on entitlement benefits those fully employed, while women and marginalized groups with low status i n the labour market are poorly covered by insurance and may have to re ly on stigmatizing means-tested social welfare based on subsidiarity. Access to pluralist, fragmented care services depends on eligibility f or funding through insurance or social welfare or else on ability to p ay. Social care is poorly developed because of the emphasis on insuran ce and the medical model as well as on the principles of subsidiarity and self help which place an explicit duty on the family, mainly women , to care.