伴隨著全球經濟在許多方面進一步的整合,全球化已經是一股形塑當代社會變遷的重要力量。一般認為,全球化與福利國家之間似乎構成了一個兩難的選擇,經濟資源的效率配置與社會平等目標的達成難以同時兼得。本文試圖指出,即使是在一個民族國家似乎越來越喪失其主動權力的全球化經濟條件下,民族國家仍然能夠透過某些適當的制度安排來回應全球化的外部桃戰,取得上述兩個目標間的平衡。首先,我將先從國際政治經濟學的角度分析全球化為何造成了福利國家維持的困難(第二節)。其次,作者進一步分析促成這些改革所必須的政治經濟條件。這部分的分析主要是依賴於近來推動福利改革有成,並引起甚多關注與討論的荷蘭與丹麥兩個歐洲小國。最後在結論部分,分析目前幾個回應全球化桃戰的具體改革建議,並分析這些改革經驗的理論意義。作者的結論是經濟全球化確實具有發揮生產要素有效率配置並且產生最大淨福利產出的潛能,但是這個過程也有產生負面外部效果的可能。作者認為,近年來在歐洲部分小國紛紛出現,在國家引導下推動的勞資雙方新社會契約或協定可能是處理這些負面外部效果的制度方案。這個方案將能有效結合提高國家競爭力與創造就業機會,兼顧經濟生產效率與社會平等的政策目標。而就最終的意義是提出一個不同於新自由主義的全球化方案與策略。
The emerging new phenomena of globalization has arisen widely discussion among social scientists and social policy students for a decade. What remains ambiguous is: To the future of the welfare state, will globalization be a challenge or an opportunity for restructuring? This paper begins by reviewing the profound shift over the last 30 years in the economic system underpinning international capitalism. I suggest that the autonomy of the national state on welfare policy had indeed been deeply eroded by the openness of international trade and financial market due to the increasing competitiveness of international market, the pressure of free flow of capital, the exodus of industries and the decrease of public revenues. Confronting the policy dilemma posited by globalization, some countries can still initiate successful welfare reform to adapt themselves to the new international political economical conditions. The author then analyzes the welfare reform in two European small states: Netherlands and Denmark. It is demonstrated that the globalization dilemma could be solved when adopting a fit policy mix. Inspired by the idea of competitive corporatism, this paper concludes with a theoretical consideration for the reform process. The author suggests that competitive corporatism as a new social pact among the social partners could be a possible policy option to the globalization dilemma. Furthermore, it signifies an alternative to the neo-liberal globalization project.