04.05.2017 - 13:26

Guest Lecture by Mingang Lin

(in Chinese) Understanding Welfare Stigma in China: The Implementation Effect of the Urban Dibao  |  Thu, May 4, 2017, 12–14 h  |  Room LE 736, Forsthausweg, Campus Duisburg

Abstract
Understanding Welfare Stigma in China: An Empirical Study on the Implementation Effect of the Urban Dibao
In social assistance programmes, it is generally believed that applying the principle of selectivity leads to welfare stigma. Earlier studies have shown that the causes of welfare stigma differ from country to country. The object of this article is to explore how welfare stigma is generated in the most important social assistance programme in China – the Urban Minimum Living Standard Guarantee Scheme, or Dibao – in terms of both system design and individual characteristics. Analysis of data on Dibao, collected in 29 provinces in 2015, reveals that the poorest families perceive less stigma, and that this can be accounted for by the generosity of welfare benefits and other programmes attached to Dibao. In addition, welfare stigma is still fostered by the ways in which means testing is implemented. Stringent and complicated screening procedures determining eligibility lead to increased stigma.

About
Lin Mingang is Professor at Department of Social Security and Director of Center for Social Security Research at Nanjing University. He graduated from Central China Normal University in 1989 and holds a master degree of sociology (1994) from Nanjing University and a Ph.D. of sociology (2000) from Nanjing University. His main research interests include social policy, social security system of China.
Professor Lin also serves as committee member of Expert Consultative Committee of Ministry of Civil Affairs, member of Teaching Steering Committee of Public Administration of Ministry of Education, committee member of Expert Committee of National Elderly Service, member of China Social Security 30 Forum, member of China Social Governance 50 Forum, council member of Social Policy Expert Committee, chairman of China Social Assistance Research Branch.
E-mail: mglin@nju.edu.cn