The Politics of "De-Universalism" in Family Policy

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13594
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 06010:Politics-related
• Research Institution: Kushiro Public University of Economics
• Principal Investigator: Chida Wataru 釧路公立大学, 経済学部, 准教授 (80706747)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 家族政策 / フランス / 福祉国家 / 普遍主義

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In France, an income condition was added to family allowances in 2015. This reform maintained universalism for all children while reducing benefits for higher income groups. Why did the government respond by reducing benefits while maintaining universalism? In this study, this response is referred to as the "politics of de-universalism". We find that this response is distinctive of the 2010s.
President Hollande had said that he would deal with high-income groups while maintaining universalism. The National Federation of Family Associations, which represents the interests of families, was opposed. However, despite the opposition, Hollande added the income condition. This was because, while pressure to cut the budget was strong, the rise in poverty rates had been contained to a certain degree.

Free Research Field

比較政治学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

学術的な意義として、2010年代における家族政策の政治的戦略の一般化が挙げられる。社会保障は、予算削減の圧力のなかで政策を実行しなければならない。家族政策は、仕事と家庭の調和や少子化から子育て支援の拡充が求められ、その財源として現金給付の削減が出てきた。しかし、すべての子どもに支給する普遍主義が一度達成されてしまうと再び選別主義に戻るのは難しい。そこで高所得層には給付するものの金額を引き下げるという「適用除外の政治」が実行された。
社会的意義として、日本の児童手当における2022年の選別主義の復活と2024年度以降の普遍主義の復活という事例にも適用可能であることが挙げられる。