The Welfare State in the European Union

• Provides an international comparison of the performance of the European welfare states
• Considers the challenge facing European welfare states, including aging, globalization, opportunism
• Focuses on the efficiency aspects of social protection

Readership: Economists and other social scientists interested by the issue of social protection and the future of the welfare state. Students taking courses on the subject.

Pierre Pestieau, University of Liège

"The Welfare State in the European Union, covers much ground, both empirical and discursive, and will certainly provide a useful companion to those wanting to understand the workings of welfare states today and in the future." - Social Policy, Volume 36/4

1: Introduction
2: Poverty and inequality
3: Social spending
4: Revenue sources
5: Types of social protection
6: Social insurance and globalization
7: Welfare state and economic efficiency
8: Efficiency of the welfare state
9: Social versus private insurance
10: Old age pensions
11: Health care
12: Unemployment and poverty
13: Family allowances
14: Conclusion