NORTH, Peter
Lets in a cold climate : Green Dollars, self-help and neoliberal welfare in New Zealand - 2002
Complementary currencies have emerged as social policy tools in a number of countries in the last 15 years. This article examines the performance of Green Dollar Exchanges in New Zealand/Aotearoa in a neoliberal environment where fiscal `imperatives' led to state provision of welfare being curtailed in favour of delibery by organisations within civil society through self-help. It argues that, while self-help does have a place within overall welfare provision, voluntary mechanisms failed to fill the gap left by state withdrawal. Consequently, an over-optimistic perpective of the contribution of mutual aid organisations in meeting welfare needs as an alternative to, rather than complementary to, state provision is problematic
Welfare Reform
Green Dollars
Neo-liberalism
New Zealand
Lets in a cold climate : Green Dollars, self-help and neoliberal welfare in New Zealand - 2002
Complementary currencies have emerged as social policy tools in a number of countries in the last 15 years. This article examines the performance of Green Dollar Exchanges in New Zealand/Aotearoa in a neoliberal environment where fiscal `imperatives' led to state provision of welfare being curtailed in favour of delibery by organisations within civil society through self-help. It argues that, while self-help does have a place within overall welfare provision, voluntary mechanisms failed to fill the gap left by state withdrawal. Consequently, an over-optimistic perpective of the contribution of mutual aid organisations in meeting welfare needs as an alternative to, rather than complementary to, state provision is problematic
Welfare Reform
Green Dollars
Neo-liberalism
New Zealand
