Automation and public support for workfare

Automation has permeated workplaces and threatens labour in the production process. Concurrently, European governments have expanded workfare which imposes stringent conditions sanctions on unemployed workers after onset of austerity. We explore how automation risk affects support. Recent research finds that most routine ‘survive’ their jobs. Despite avoiding unemployment, may face threat status decline as erodes value work. They respond by differentiating themselves from lower-ranked social groups such workers. Such boundary drawing manifest views are less deserving welfare. thus posit support to assuage fears decline. further if worsening economic hardship, proxied rising unemployment rates over time, increases for workfare. conducted pooled multilevel analyses using data Social Survey. find significantly also when hardship worsens, but oppose it ameliorate. Findings suggest is an important channel affect support, its impact depends context, hence yielding country-differences. Worsening exacerbate workers’ fears, intensify harsh against a greater under conditions. Policymakers can use these findings assess be publicly received various