Decommodification

Decommodification means that goods and services previously undertaken by profit-making organizations or individuals in return for payment are now produced or provided by household members, the welfare state or civil society. “Decommodification […] refers to the degree to which individuals, or families, can uphold a socially acceptable standard of living independently of market participation.” (Esping-Anderson 1990: 37) The degree of (de-)commodification indicates how much the welfare of individuals is dependent on the market.