Changing Welfare Perceptions in Times of Climate Change
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Keywords

welfare state
climate change
deservingness
vulnerable groups
media

How to Cite

Filipovič Hrast, M., Boljka, U., Sernel, J., & Rakar, T. (2026). Changing Welfare Perceptions in Times of Climate Change: The Case of Slovenia. ANNALES, SERIES HISTORIA ET SOCIOLOGIA, 36(3), 431–444. https://doi.org/10.19233/ASHS.2026.26

Abstract

Climate change brings direct risks like floods and heatwaves and indirect risks from policy changes, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups. Since welfare systems depend on public support, understanding perceptions is crucial for maintaining public acceptance of climate-related policies. The way the media frames “deserving” and “undeserving” groups shapes public opinion and risk-related narratives. The article considers Slovenian media narratives between September 2023 and September 2024 in two major newspapers to examine portrayals of vulnerability and deservingness. The findings contribute to understanding how media narratives shape solidarity and have implications for designing socially legitimate and inclusive climate and welfare policies.

https://doi.org/10.19233/ASHS.2026.26
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Copyright (c) 2026 Maša Filipovič Hrast, Urban Boljka, Jera Sernel, Tatjana Rakar