Reforming the Bismarckian Welfare Systems

Gathering among the best European specialists of welfare state comparisons, this book organises comprehensive and up to date information on European welfare state reforms in an analytical framework which allows a new approach to social policy changes. Demonstrates that, contrary to the common view, 'Bismarckian' welfare states have changed significantly Contains long term but also very accurate data and perspective beginning from the 1980s and up to the most recent reforms Speaks to two literatures: the one on welfare state, social policies and welfare state reforms; the other to the political science literature on changes, path dependency and incremental changes Organises comprehensive and up to date information on European welfare state reforms in an analytical framework Includes contributions from the best specialists of the field, including members of the European academic community of social policy comparativists

Gathering among the best European specialists of welfare statecomparisons, this book organises comprehensive and up to dateinformation on European welfare state reforms in an analyticalframework which allows a new approach to social policy changes.* Demonstrates that, contrary to the common view, 'Bismarckian'welfare states have changed significantly* Contains long term but also very accurate data and perspectivebeginning from the 1980s and up to the most recent reforms* Speaks to two literatures: the one on welfare state, socialpolicies and welfare state reforms; the other to the politicalscience literature on changes, path dependency and incrementalchanges* Organises comprehensive and up to date information on Europeanwelfare state reforms in an analytical framework* Includes contributions from the best specialists of the fieldincluding members of the European academic community of socialpolicy comparativists

1. Editorial Introduction: From 'a Frozen Landscape' toStructural Reforms: The Sequential Transformation of BismarckianWelfare Systems (Bruno Palier and Claude Martin).2. When Past Reforms Open New Opportunities: Comparing Old-ageInsurance Reforms in Bismarckian Welfare Systems (Giuliano Bonoliand Bruno Palier).3. Towards Neo-Bismarckian Health Care States? Comparing HealthInsurance Reforms in Bismarckian Welfare Systems (PatrickHassenteufel and Bruno Palier).4. Continental Drift: On Unemployment Policy Change inBismarckian Welfare States (Daniel Clegg).5. From Subsidiarity to 'Free Choice': Child- andElder-care Policy Reforms in France, Belgium, Germany and theNetherlands (Nathalie Morel).6. Activation as a Common Framework for Social Policies towardsLone Parents (Trudie Knijn, Claude Martin and Jane Millar).7. Long-term Care Policies in Italy, Austria and France:Variations in Cash-for-Care Schemes (Barbara Da Roit, Blanche LeBihan and August Österle).8. Family Policies in Germany and France: The Role ofEnterprises and Social Partners (Ute Klammer andMarie-Thérèse Letablier).Index.