1st Edition

Nordic Welfare States in the European Context

    326 Pages
    by Routledge

    328 Pages
    by Routledge

    This important sequel to Nordic Social Policy (Routledge 1999) compares welfare state development over the last twenty years in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden with that of Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and other Western European countries. Topics covered include:
    * income distribution, health inequalities and gender equality
    * gender policies, health and social care services and policy reaction to family changes
    * social security and employment policies
    * financing of welfare states.
    In the context of globalisation, ageing populations, changing employment patterns and rising inequalities, Nordic Welfare States in the European Context offers an empirical analysis of welfare adaptations and a lively discussion of the historical development of European social policy. It finds a greater ambiguity regarding variation and trends than is commonly suggested. Contrary to expectation, there is little evidence of the Europeanisation of Nordic welfare states, rather the reverse. The comparable and empirical data used in this study make it a unique contribution to understanding current trends in European social policy.

    1. Introduction: How Distinct are the Nordic Welfare States? 2. Still Different? Income Distribution in the Nordic Countries in a European Comparison 3. Nordic Health Inequalities in the European Context 4. Gender Policies and Gender Equality 5.Gender Equality in Earnings at Work and at Home 6. Changing Family Patterns - A Challenge to Social Security 7. Health and Social Care Systems: How Different is the Nordic Model? 8. Toward Activation? The Changing Relationship Between Social Protection and Employment in Western Europe 9. On Condition of Work: Increasing Work Requirements in Unemployment Compensation Schemes 10. Moving Closer? Convergence in Financing of Welfare States 11. Conclusion: The Nordic Welfare States in the European Context

    Biography

    Johan Fritzell, Bjorn Hvinden, Mikko Kautto, Jon Kvist, Hannu Uusitalo