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Historical Developments And Social Changes Essay

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Given the fact that political theories must continually respond to historical developments and social changes, no significant political tradition worthy of its name can afford to remain in the state of stasis. The postmodern turn, which has been underway since the 1960s, has turned out to be a particularly significant challenge to established political traditions of the 20th century. In particular, such prominent theoretical frameworks as liberalism, positivism, and Marxism had to confront the postmodern challenge in a distinct manner and with varying degree of success.
According to Gøsta Esping-Andersen, the crucial issue facing contemporary political theorists is the status of the welfare state in the postmodern era. Indeed, the political debates of the 20th century concern the welfare state’s potential to transform the capitalist society (Esping-Andersen 93). In this respect, the idea of welfare state undoubtedly lies at the heart of 20th-century political debates considering the fact that this very term invokes the complex relationship between the state and market economy. Considering the gradual dissolution of the welfare state in the postmodern era, the problematic relationship between welfare and capitalism remains central to theoretical frameworks grappling to come to terms with the postmodern turn.
Out of the three theoretical frameworks in question, liberalism was and is still is particularly invested in the idea of the welfare state.Indeed, it is with regard to

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