The Changing Welfare State In Europe - The Implications for Democracy

The welfare state in Europe has been reformed gradually over the past two decades, with the intensification of the economic and monetary union and the addition of fifteen new members of the EU. This book explores the pressures that have been placed on the welfare state through a variety of insightful and thought-provoking contributions. As the standard of living has increased, aspirations and financial constraints have required major rethinking. European countries have considerable variety in how they approach the welfare system with differing weights placed on income, employment and the ability to participate in society. Choices over welfare lie at the heart of the democratic system; this book explores the tensions this has produced and the innovative responses in policy content and institutions. The Changing Welfare State in Europe has a wide appeal, which will have relevance to economists, scholars in public and social policy, public and private finance experts, policymakers and also academics with an interest in the impact of financial and economic development. The financial sustainability of the welfare state, its efficiency in covering new risks and to effectively reallocate resources in a fair way are now classic issues for debate. This book explores the more understated question of the democratic legitimacy of a “quasi” European policy in a field which is subjected to the contradictory impact of ever tighter European economic governance. With the wide vision of a comparative perspective and the deep knowledge of social policy scholars, the authors of this book offer inspiring insights into different facets of democratic governance which are likely to inform European decision makers in the coming decade.’ – Agnes Hubert, member of the Bureau for European Policy Advisors – European Commission

Preface 1. Introduction: The Changing Welfare State Anna Michalski and David Mayes 2. Social Models in the Enlarged European Union David Mayes and Zaidah Mustaffa 3. The Economic Crisis and Prospects for European Social Insurance and Democratic Governance Katherine Lyons and Christine Cheyne 4. Active Social Policies, Inclusion and Democracy in the European Union Mark Thomson 5. Democratic Boundaries in the US and Europe: Inequality, Localization and Voluntarism in Social Welfare Tess Altman and David G. Mayes 6. Privatizing Welfare. Changing the Face of Social Protection and Democracy in Europe Tess Altman and Cris Shore 7. The Rise of the Unelected. The UK Health System and the Rise and Fall of Arm’s Length Bodies David Mayes and Zaidah Mustaffa 8. Democratic Governance and Policy Coordination in the EU Anna Michalski References Index