Welfare Reform on the Web (January) 2006 : Welfare State - Overseas

Capitalism, democracy and welfare

T. Iversen
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005

The book builds on new institutionalist theory in both economics and political science to offer a general political economy framework for the study of welfare capitalism. It offers a systematic explanation of popular preferences for redistributive spending, the economic role of political parties and electoral systems, and labour market stratification.

The changing face of welfare: consequences and outcomes from a citizenship perspective

J. G. Andersen and others
Bristol: Policy Press, 2005

Adopting a multilevel, comparative and interdisciplinary approach, this book develops a critical analysis of policy change and welfare reform. It specifically asks:

• To what extent do welfare states undergo profound change?

• Is the welfare state moving in qualitatively different directions?

• What generates change?

• What are the outcomes of change in terms of social cohesion?

Danish cradle to grave care system in doubt.

C. MacCarthy & P. Munter
Financial Times, December 9th 2005, p.8

The Danish government has rejected many proposals of a report on reform of the welfare system. As global competition and an ageing population challenge the viability of the welfare state so integral to Danish life, the report urges raising the pension age, phasing out early retirement and introduction of some health charges. However, industry, politicians and the public disapprove.

Frames of justice: implications for social policy

L. H. Pelton
London: Transaction, 2005

The book analyses three major frames of justice- group justice, individual desert, and life affirmation- and their implications for social policy.  It compares and contrasts the philosophies of non-violence and liberalism in regard to the frames, and explores the relationships between principle, sentiment, reason, justice, and policy.

Reforming European welfare states: Germany and the United Kingdom compared

J. Clasen
Oxford: OUP, 2005

Welfare state reform has been a focus of domestic policy making in many European countries in recent years. The book compares development in British and German social policy over the past 25 years. It argues that unemployment support and public pension programmes have been subject to retrenchment. By contrast, family policies have been extended in both countries.

Trade unions and the defence of the European social model

J. Waddington
Industrial Relations Journal, vol.36, 2005, p.518-540

Article charts some of the challenges faced by trade unionists in Europe in their attempts to defend the European social model.  There is an emergent contradiction in which unionists at European level support the principles of EU integration based on some form of the social model, whereas in member states they mobilise against a range of neo-liberal economic and welfare reforms introduced in order to facilitate integration.

Unsocial Europe: social protection or flexploitation?

A. Gray
London: Pluto Press, 2004

The book attempts to address two gaps in the literature about international comparison of welfare systems. Firstly, the way in which benefits systems, changing forms of work and labour regulation interact with each other, especially in the context of globalisation and the progress of European integration. Secondly, the testimonies of unwaged people themselves on how welfare systems and labour market policies affect their daily lives.