THE CRISIS IN THE DANISH WELFARE MODEL

The paper develops a distinction between the social security stare and the welfare state. The latter is identified by ifs having inclusion a nd compensation as its core characteristics. The gradual development o f welfare state thinking is interpreted as a Paradise myth. If is demo nstrated that a number of minor retrenchment efforts amount to a chang e away from mt idea of absolute rights towards a more discursive conce pt of rights. Having elaborated ct basic distinction between? a life a nd a systemic ethics, if is suggested that a new political thinking em phasizing responsibility and obligations is developing; this is reflec ted by an increasing weight attributed to firms, voluntary; efforts an d families as core institutions of the welfare society.