decommodificationi

Decommodification refers to the process of removing goods, services, or resources from the market economy. This means taking something that was previously bought and sold as a commodity and making it available as a public good or a right, rather than a product subject to profit motives. The goal of decommodification is often to ensure universal access to essential items or services, regardless of an individual's ability to pay.

This concept is frequently discussed in relation to social welfare policies. For example, healthcare and education are often cited as areas where decommodification is advocated. The argument is that these are fundamental human needs, and their provision should not be primarily driven by market forces that can lead to inequality and exclusion. Instead, they should be funded and managed by the state or other non-profit entities to guarantee access for all citizens.

Examples of decommodification can be seen in various welfare states where access to essential services is provided through taxation rather than direct user fees. The extent of decommodification varies significantly between different countries and even within different sectors of a single economy. Critics sometimes raise concerns about the efficiency and potential for bureaucracy in non-market systems, while proponents emphasize the social benefits of equity and security.