China Social Science Review

No.4, 2020

Debates and New Topics in the Study of East Asian Welfare Regimes

(Abstract)

Lin Mingang and Chen Yingqi

East Asian welfare regimes, put forward as a fourth welfare system following on “the three worlds of welfare capitalism,” have now become the frontier of research on comparative social policy. Over the past fifteen years, debates among researchers have tended to focus on two aspects: changes in the main features of the topic, and unity and diversity. In recent years, some new discussion topics have emerged in East Asian welfare regimes: protection of the aged, child care, attitudes to welfare, etc. In terms of trends in research development, studies of the unity and diversity of these regimes will remain a theme of future research, while new research topics will emerge in the face of the impact and challenges of globalization and digitalization. Taking our stand on East Asia, we need to construct an Asian theory of social security that will lead to inclusive development in the future.