Bürgergeld in Germany: Reform or another name change?

The latest "reform" of Germany's social system looks less and less like a well-thought-out systemic solution and more and more like a politically opportunistic initiative . To understand what's really going on around Bürgergeld, it's useful to look beyond the headlines and return to the historical foundations of the German welfare state.

The origins of the welfare state in Germany

The welfare state in Germany is not a product of the 21st century or a response to contemporary crises. Its roots go back to the late 19th century, to the so-called Bismarckian social laws . It was then that health, disability, and old-age insurance began to be viewed not as charity, but as a tool for stabilizing society and the economy .

This logic was simple and pragmatic: a state that provides minimal social protection gains a more stable and loyal population, while the economy gains predictable social conditions.

After World War II, this model was reinterpreted and integrated into the constitutional order of the Federal Republic of Germany. The principle of the Sozialstaat was enshrined in the Basic Law of Germany and became one of the key characteristics of the post-war German state.

Since then, the forms of social support have changed repeatedly, but the basic idea has remained unchanged:

The state is obliged to guarantee the minimum necessary for a decent existence .

Hartz IV: The Era of Obligations and Sanctions

In the early 2000s, Germany faced different challenges: high unemployment, structural problems in the labor market, and budgetary pressures. The response was the Hartz IV reform.

This system was:

• tough,

• aimed at activating the unemployed,

• closely related to the responsibilities of the recipients,

• backed by sanctions for failure to cooperate.

Hartz IV drew widespread criticism, both from a social and legal perspective. It was accused of being excessively repressive, putting pressure on vulnerable groups, and eroding the concept of "dignity."

However, despite all the criticism, the system survived for almost two decades , becoming part of Germany's institutional landscape.

The emergence of Bürgergeld: a rhetoric of trust and dignity

In 2022, Hartz IV was replaced by Bürgergeld . Formally, this was seen as a more humane and modern model of social support. The key slogans of the reform sounded beautiful:

• trust instead of pressure,

• dignity instead of sanctions,

• support instead of punishment.

However, the timing of the Bürgergeld's emergence is difficult to ignore. The reform coincided with:

• with foreign policy crises,

• with the growth of social tensions,

• with the mass arrival of Ukrainian citizens,

• with the need to quickly expand the social support system.

Even if these processes are not officially directly linked, their simultaneity is an important factor for analysis.

Bürgergeld has become not only a social but also a political construct , reflecting a specific moment in time, public expectations and political priorities.

A new twist: a toughening and change in rhetoric

Today, the pendulum has swung back again. Public discourse in Germany has shifted noticeably:

• criticism of the system's "excessive softness" has intensified,

• attention to abuses has increased,

• The words “responsibilities”, “control”, and “efficiency” have reappeared in political rhetoric.

It's important to understand: this isn't about abandoning the welfare state . Germany isn't abandoning the principle of the Sozialstaat. It's about another change in form , a shift in emphasis and implementation mechanisms.

History shows that the German welfare state:

• does not disappear,

• cannot be dismantled,

• and regularly changes its packaging and language , adapting to the political situation.

Law and Reality: Why It's Important to Ignore the Headlines

Until the Bundestag finally adopts the amendments, everything that happens remains a political project , not a legal reality. In a democratic state governed by the rule of law, the text of the law , not the media debate, is decisive.

Exactly:

• formulations of norms,

• conditions of receipt,

• control mechanisms,

• sanctions procedures

determine the real rules of the game.

Only after the law comes into force can we talk about the legal consequences for German citizens, migrants, recipients of social assistance, and government authorities.

Instead of a conclusion: a question without an answer

Looking at history in retrospect, a natural question arises.

It was once called Hartz IV , then Bürgergeld .

Social assistance in Germany is not disappearing – it is being renamed .

So what do you think the next version of social support will be called?

What new name will they come up with this time—and what meanings will they try to put into it?