“Onbehagen omsmeden tot vernieuwingskracht” Naar een democratische verzorgingsstaat

First, this inaugural lecture argues that there are sources of discontent that undermine the social legitimacy of our welfare state; middle classes in danger of becoming alienated from the welfare state, undeserving beneficiaries having to meet stricter requirements, and social systems becoming entangled in complexity. Second, it explores the innovative power of democratization in addressing discontent. Four interventions are discussed: strengthening 1) universal arrangements, 2) collective involvement, 3) trust in beneficiaries and civil servants, 4) ownership in social security. And it sketches how transformation can be achieved by allowing space for bottom-up initiatives aiming to renew the welfare state.