SYMBOLIC PURPOSES AND FACTUAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONCEPTS SELF-RELIANCE AND DEPENDENCY IN CONTEMPORARY DISCOURSES ON WELFARE

To be self-reliant has been a dominant norm in Western societies since early Christianity. Today the concept has the symbolic purpose of mai ntaining individualism and the work ethic in capitalism and reducing d ependency on the state. This article contrasts the original meaning of individual self-reliance with its contemporary use in public discours es on welfare. We demonstrate the vagueness of the term and its varyin g interpretations. Using examples from the United States, the United K ingdom and Norway, the article attempts to demonstrate that the hegemo nic use of the concepts of self-reliance and dependency today provides ideological justifications for keeping people in poverty and outside the mainstream of life. It increases social distance and promotes marg inality. The article concludes by suggesting that other ways for solvi ng problems of balancing rights and duties of citizens have to be foun d in order to maintain a fair distribution of dignity and social integ ration.