Zuständigkeit als Machtfrage

This study analyses how service provision in basic income support for job seekers has changed regarding centralisation and decentralisation. The historical, institutionalist analysis of the reform process of the "Law to further develop the organisation of basic income support for job seekers" from 2010 analyses the complex shifts in and new regulations for service provision that, in sum, imply decentralisation of basic income support for job seekers.
The study shows that these changes can be explained by taking into account negotiation processes between actors, which implies that basic income support for job seekers as an institution reflects power relations between relevant actors. Thus, the analysis contributes to a better understanding of current reform processes in German labour market policy and social policy. In theoretical terms, the study contributes to the theoretical discussion in historical institutionalism. It discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the approach and develops potential paths for theoretical improvement.