welfare-state

A historical form of government intervention providing social insurance and public assistance to protect citizens from economic and social risks.

1 chapter across 1 book

Better Living through Reality TV: Television and Post-Welfare Citizenship (2008)Laurie Ouellette; James Hay

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 analyzes the rise of reality TV charity programs as a form of privatized social care aligned with neoliberal welfare reform. It situates these programs within a broader shift from the traditional Welfare State to a market-driven 'Opportunity, Inc.' model that emphasizes personal responsibility, self-empowerment, and private sector involvement in social service delivery. The chapter critiques how television, under deregulation, mobilizes compassion and private resources to manage social needs while reinforcing a post-welfare citizenship ethos.