Access Denied: Algorithmic Inequality in Comparative Welfare States
Keywords:
Digital welfare systems, Algorithmic governance, Digital divide, Comparative policy analysis, Digital inclusionAbstract
Digital welfare systems create new forms of exclusion despite promises of improved accessibility. This comparative study examines digital welfare access barriers across Thailand, China, Germany, and the United States using the Digital Justice Matrix framework to analyze how different legal frameworks affect digital inclusion outcomes for citizens and migrants across diverse political contexts. Through systematic policy analysis of government documents, legal frameworks, and academic literature (2018-2024) examining government digital services across four countries, the study finds that legal frameworks, not technological sophistication, determine inclusive outcomes. Germany's comprehensive legal approach achieves inclusion despite limited infrastructure, while China's advanced technology creates systematic exclusion affecting 33 million citizens. Thailand excludes digitally disadvantaged populations; the US shows fragmented geographic inequality affecting 22.4 million non-citizens. The study introduces the Digital Justice Matrix framework and provides actionable policy framework for developing countries implementing digital welfare systems.References
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