The New Politics of the Welfare State

The welfare states of the affluent democracies now stand at the centre of political discussion and social conflict. In these path-breaking essays, an international team of leading analysts rejects simplistic claims about the impact of economic 'globalization'. Economic, demographic, and social pressures on the welfare state are very real, but many of the most fundamental challenges have little to do with globalization. Nor do the authors detect signs of aconvergence of national social policies towards an American-style lowest common denominator. The contemporary politics of the welfare state takes shape against a backdrop of both intense pressures forausterity and enduring popularity. Thus in most of the affluent democracies, the politics of social policy centre on the renegotiation, restructuring, and modernization of the post-war social contract rather than its dismantling. The authors examine a wide range of countries and public policies arenas, including health care, pensions, and labour markets. They demonstrate how different national settings affect whether, and on what terms, centrist efforts to restructure the welfare state cansucceed.

“There is no doubt that The New Politics of the Welfare State, edited by Paul Pierson, is on the top of the reading list for students of comparative politics and welfare states. The authors clearly demonstrate the impacts of post-industrialization, aging populations, and globalization on welfare reforms under various political settings and different policy legacies. They also successfully define pressing research agendas for further investigations.”

It is hard to exaggerate the theoretical contributions that The New Politics of the Welfare State makes. Numerous insights for future research agendas can be discerned in the volume ... an inspiring comparative book. Japanese Journal of Political Science There is no doubt that The New Politics of the Welfare State, edited by Paul Pierson, is on the top of the reading list for students of comparative politics and welfare states. The authors clearly demonstrate the impacts of post-industrialization, aging populations, and globalization on welfare reforms under various political settings and different policy legacies. They also successfully define pressing research agendas for further investigations. Japanese Journal of Political Science There is much in this collection to admire. The quality of the individual pieces is evident, and there are useful insights on issues like deindustrialisation, decommodification, and the adaptation of economic production to different institutional contexts ... a worthwhile acquisition for a library. Social Policy

Paul Pierson is Professor of Political Science and holder of the Avice Saint Chair of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley. He is the author of"Politics in Time, Dismantling the Welfare State?, "and (with Jacob S. Hacker)?"Off Center." His commentary has recently appeared in "The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, "and "The New Republic. "He lives in Berkeley, CA.

The welfare states of the affluent democracies now stand at the centre of political discussion and social conflict. In these path-breaking essays, an international team of leading analysts rejects simplistic claims about the impact of economic 'globalization'. Economic, demographic, and social pressures on the welfare state are very real, but many of the most fundamental challenges have little to do with globalization. Nor do the authors detect signs of a convergence of national social policies towards an American-style lowest common denominator. The contemporary politics of the welfare state takes shape against a backdrop of both intense pressures for austerity and enduring popularity. Thus in most of the affluent democracies, the politics of social policy centre on the renegotiation, restructuring, and modernization of the post-war social contract rather than its dismantling. The authors examine a wide range of countries and public policies arenas, including health care, pensions, and labour markets. They demonstrate how different national settings affect whether, and on what terms, centrist efforts to restructure the welfare state can succeed.

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