Public Choice Approach

Public Choice Approach

This approach is a standing critique of the Welfare state. It is an economic theory of politics. Being a political-economic approach, it tends to explain the non-economic variables through the use of economic methods, methodologies or criterions. Non-economic variables involve political or administrative issues. Also, this approach is a school of thought under the New Right philosophy. 

The New Right has been highly critical of the welfare state and Welfarism. New Right has criticized it as a Nanny state by saying that welfare state is an over-indulging state and it demeans the potentiality of the individual and makes it invalid. It says that the welfare state is not based on a sound foundation and is not viable or sustainable. This became particularly true during 1970s. There was a crisis among the governments all over the world. Habermas said that State is facing a dual crisis i.e. the fiscal crisis and the crisis of legitimacy. This resulted into alienation of people from the state resulting into the crisis of legitimacy. Thus, the concerns of the New Right philosophy became evident. There was a widespread concern about what is ailing the state and as well a concern regarding making the state viable. A group of arguments emerged and answers were provided in a logical manner. This group of arguments is being referred to as the New Right philosophy. The new right philosophy combined within it two mutually opposing ideologies. They are as follows:

1.      Neo-liberalism- Liberalism primarily emphasizes on individual’s liberty. This is possible only in a small state.

2.    Neo-conservatism- Conservatism primarily emphasizes on traditions, customs, authority etc. This is possible only in a strong state.

Hence, New Right advocates for a small but a strong state. Public Choice Approach is also a New Right philosophy. Public Choice Approach has also been a strong critic of the welfare state.