Adapting Social Welfare Policies in Rentier States: The Emergence of Controlled Neo-Corporatism

This study investigates the evolution of social welfare policies in rentier states, testing the hypothesis that these resource-rich nations transition from étatist models to more liberal-pluralist or neo-corporatist structures. Understanding this shift is critical for addressing social welfare challenges, including equitable access to services and social inclusion. Using the policy arrangement approach, the study analyzes six key policy sectors—employment, housing, education, social care, social insurance, and gender policies—across four dimensions: discourse, actors, resources, and rules.

Employing a mixed-method approach that includes qualitative case studies and quantitative data analysis, the findings reveal the emergence of a distinct governance model: controlled neo-corporatism. In this model, non-state actors play an expanding role in service provision, yet the state retains significant control over financial resources and regulatory mechanisms. This governance structure demonstrates how rentier states can adapt centralized governance to meet complex social challenges without fully transitioning to a liberal-pluralist framework.

The study offers valuable insights for policymakers in other rentier states, providing a framework that balances state authority with structured non-state participation to promote more inclusive social welfare policies. By proposing the controlled neo-corporatist model, this research contributes to the broader understanding of governance adaptation in resource-rich economies and offers practical strategies for advancing social inclusion.