Matthew Watson
Planning for a Future of Asset-based Welfare? New Labour, Financialized Economic Agency and the Housing Market
abstract article focuses core aspects political economy new labour surveys strategic priorities likely planning process adapt policy areas effects enhanced treasury micromanagement governments reform agenda begun impact upon field planning prime example respect treasurys preference replacing state provision welfareenhancing services move towards individualized system assetbased welfare article begins analysis shift showing dependent creating financialized economic agents think instinctively active saverinvestors quest accumulate assets fund future consumption welfare contemporary britain housing market dominates accumulation assets amongst everyday saverinvestors article concludes analysing possible tension introduced planning process new labours twin goals 1 defend current value asset wealth even mortgage lending market stalled confidence stability house prices temporarily evaporated 2 restrict exclusion private ownership housing market broadening access used propel universal move towards individualized system assetbased welfare fallout world credit crunch began autumn 2007 remains ongoing time writing january 2009 looks likely exacerbate always tensionprone combination objectives