• The only UK textbook focusing on welfare economics.
• Analyses the major elements of the welfare state within a coherent theoretical framework.
• Each theoretical chapter contains a non-technical appendix.

New to this edition

• Fully updated to reflect recent statistics and changes in policy.
• Extended discussion of long-term insurance for disability and long-term care.
• Updated discussion of challenges to the welfare state, including demographic change, globalization, changes in family structure, changes in the structure of jobs and debates about the welfare state.
• More references to web based data sources, allowing students to find updated figures for themselves.
• Increased analytical discussion and wider focus.

Readership: 3rd year undergraduates and postgraduate economics specialists and 2nd and 3rd year undergraduate non-specialists (e.g. Social Policy students)

Nicholas Barr, Professor of Public Economics,, London School of Economics

Part One: Concepts
1: Introduction
2: The Historical Background
3: Political Theory: Social Justice
4: Economic Theory 1: Social Justice and the State
5: Economic Theory 2: Insurance
6: Problems of Definition and Measurement
Part 2: Cash Benefits
7: Financing the Welfare State
8: Insurance: Unemployment, Sickness and Disability
9: Consumption Smoothing: Old Age Pensions
10: Poverty Relief and Family Support
11: Strategies for Reform
Part 3: Benefits in Kind
12: Health and Health Care
13: Education 1: Primary and Secondary Education
14: Education 2: Tertiary Education
Part 4: Epilogue
15: Conclusion