Hanne Marlene Dahl
What is a caring state? The concept of caring state has been discussed in an emerging feminist and political theory literature (Chatzidakis et al. 2020; Daly, 1998; Engster 2007; Kim 2018; Vabø and Szebehely 2012). Often viewed as a concrete materialization of the Nordic welfare state ideal, a caring state is conceived as providing care that is universal, generous, good quality, accessible, affordable, flexible, and used by (almost) all (Vabø and Szebehely 2012). This definition contains two key elements: tax-financed, universal care accessible by all vulnerable groups, including pre-school children, the sick, the challenged, and the frail and older persons; and high-quality care carried out — and ensured — by professionally trained care workers (Dahl 2010; Dahl and Rasmussen 2012). The Nordic countries have promoted a caring state by converting care into a social right predicated on a dual worker--‘dual’carer model. This model envisions a combination of full-time paid work with caring duties, both in motherhood and when one’s own frail, older parents need care. The ideal of the caring state thus understands care justice as twofold: a right to be cared for through public provision of services and a concern for the work conditions, education, and recognition of care workers.