The Future of the Welfare State
Social Policy Attitudes and Social Capital in Europe
Will be published approx. on 30. March 2012
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-1-78100-126-4 (ISBN)
Description
At a time when welfare states in Europe are coming under increasing pressure from both growing demand and, in some countries, severe financial austerity measures, the attitudes of ordinary people and European social cohesion are much debated. Using data from the European Social Survey, these empirical analyses examine welfare state attitudes and draw conclusions for the future.
Theoretically the book is linked to analyses of altering social risks, policy challenges, policy changes and policy performance of the European welfare states. The analyses in the book explore a variety of individual and macro-level determinants of welfare policy attitudes ranging from socio-economic factors to religiosity, but a special emphasis is laid on solidarity, social cohesion and social capital among European nations.
This multi-disciplinary study will appeal to academics, researchers, graduate and postgraduate students in sociology, social policy, social administration and European studies.
Contributors: M. Ainsaar, S.N. Andersen, H. Chung, H. Ervasti, H. Finseraas, T. Fridberg, J. Goul Andersen, M. Hjerm, T. Kankainen, A. Kouvo, B. Meuleman, M. Niemelae, K. Ringdal, A. Schnabel, W. van Oorschot
Theoretically the book is linked to analyses of altering social risks, policy challenges, policy changes and policy performance of the European welfare states. The analyses in the book explore a variety of individual and macro-level determinants of welfare policy attitudes ranging from socio-economic factors to religiosity, but a special emphasis is laid on solidarity, social cohesion and social capital among European nations.
This multi-disciplinary study will appeal to academics, researchers, graduate and postgraduate students in sociology, social policy, social administration and European studies.
Contributors: M. Ainsaar, S.N. Andersen, H. Chung, H. Ervasti, H. Finseraas, T. Fridberg, J. Goul Andersen, M. Hjerm, T. Kankainen, A. Kouvo, B. Meuleman, M. Niemelae, K. Ringdal, A. Schnabel, W. van Oorschot
Reviews / Votes
'This volume represents an important addition to existing research on welfare attitudes. A particular highlight is the extensive and original application of new cross-national survey data from the European Social Survey. The volume provides new substantial insights into the macro and micro level factors that shape welfare attitudes. I highly recommend this volume to anyone interested in welfare attitudes research.'--Mads Meier Jager, Aarhus University, Denmark'Ervasti, Anderson, Fridberg, and Ringdal, with the help of 11 other authors, have created an edited collection that rightfully deserves a prominent position in the vast body of scholarship focused on the European social welfare state. The editors more than accomplish their stated goal of compiling a book focused on the changing ''attitudes to the welfare state of ordinary people in almost thirty European countries''. The book and its 12 chapters are well conceptualized, well structured, and well written.'
--Larry Nackerud, Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare
'A compelling collection of chapters that address many of the major challenges faced by contemporary European welfare states, including popular welfare legitimacy, social trust and social cohesion, ''old'' and ''new'' risks, population diversity and new gender roles. Combining various theoretical perspectives on the welfare state and public opinion, the book features state-of-the-art multilevel analyses of social policy attitudes across 30 European countries. This book will become an essential resource for welfare state researchers and students alike.'
--Christian Staerkle, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-78100-126-4 (9781781001264)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Edited by Heikki Ervasti, Professor of Social Policy, University of Turku, Finland, Jorgen Goul Andersen, Professor of Political Sociology, Aalborg University, Denmark, Torben Fridberg, Senior Researcher, SFI - The Danish National Centre for Social Research, Denmark and Kristen Ringdal, Professor of Sociology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
Content
Contents:
Preface
1. Introduction
Heikki Ervasti, Jorgen Goul Andersen and Kristen Ringdal
2. Welfare Regimes and Personal Risks
Synove Nygaard Andersen and Kristen Ringdal
3. The Impact of Perceived and Actual Unemployment Benefit Generosity and Unemployment Rates on the Employment Security of Workers
Heejung Chung and Wim van Oorschot
4. Economic Globalization, Personal Risks and the Demand for a Comprehensive Welfare State
Henning Finseraas and Kristen Ringdal
5. Children in the Family and Welfare State Attitudes: Altruism or Self-Interest?
Mare Ainsaar
6. Who Should Care for the Children? Support for Government Intervention in Childcare
Bart Meuleman and Heejung Chung
7. Legitimacy of the System and Support for the Welfare State
Torben Fridberg
8. Immigration, Trust and Support for the Welfare State
Heikki Ervasti and Mikael Hjerm
9. Social Cohesion and the Welfare State: How Heterogeneity Influences Welfare State Attitudes
Mikael Hjerm and Annette Schnabel
10. Welfare Benefits and Generalized Trust in Finland and Europe
Antti Kouvo, Tomi Kankainen and Mikko Niemelae
11. Is There a Religious Factor Involved in Support for the Welfare State in Europe?
Heikki Ervasti
12. Who Hates the Welfare State? Criticism of the Welfare State in Europe
Heikki Ervasti
Appendix
Kristen Ringdal and Mikael Hjerm
Index
Preface
1. Introduction
Heikki Ervasti, Jorgen Goul Andersen and Kristen Ringdal
2. Welfare Regimes and Personal Risks
Synove Nygaard Andersen and Kristen Ringdal
3. The Impact of Perceived and Actual Unemployment Benefit Generosity and Unemployment Rates on the Employment Security of Workers
Heejung Chung and Wim van Oorschot
4. Economic Globalization, Personal Risks and the Demand for a Comprehensive Welfare State
Henning Finseraas and Kristen Ringdal
5. Children in the Family and Welfare State Attitudes: Altruism or Self-Interest?
Mare Ainsaar
6. Who Should Care for the Children? Support for Government Intervention in Childcare
Bart Meuleman and Heejung Chung
7. Legitimacy of the System and Support for the Welfare State
Torben Fridberg
8. Immigration, Trust and Support for the Welfare State
Heikki Ervasti and Mikael Hjerm
9. Social Cohesion and the Welfare State: How Heterogeneity Influences Welfare State Attitudes
Mikael Hjerm and Annette Schnabel
10. Welfare Benefits and Generalized Trust in Finland and Europe
Antti Kouvo, Tomi Kankainen and Mikko Niemelae
11. Is There a Religious Factor Involved in Support for the Welfare State in Europe?
Heikki Ervasti
12. Who Hates the Welfare State? Criticism of the Welfare State in Europe
Heikki Ervasti
Appendix
Kristen Ringdal and Mikael Hjerm
Index