A European welfare state? European Union social policy in context

Book abstract:

What is the state of European welfare? Has the existence of the European Union led to the erosion of national welfare states? In turn have these been replaced by a strong European social policy? These questions lie at the heart of this book whose aim is to establish whether the European Union is in the process of creating a European welfare state?

The current different types of welfare state are examined in the first two chapters, which also discuss whether an emerging single European model can be identified. Chapter three addresses the impact of globalisation and the constraints it places on nation states. The author then moves from the nation state to a study of the social policy of the European Union dealing with it's history and development in chapter four and in chapter five with the present European social policy and potential for a European welfare state. The social consequences of European economic integration and particularly the Single European Market and creation of the single currency are explored in chapter six. The most important social and economic issues facing Europe - unemployment and social exclusion - are considered in chapter seven. Social policy post-Maastricht and the status of European citizenship are the focus of chapter eight and the extent to which it can develop from a geographical identity towards a participating and rights acquiring community within which a European Welfare State might be recognised.

The author, Mark Kleinman, concludes that no 'logic of globalisation' exists which is making European welfare states more similar just as the 'logic of industrialism' did not remove any differences in the post war years. Whilst all European countries are experiencing similar economic, social and demographic changes that are effectively altering the different welfare states this change should not be attributed to role of the European Union since national states, national institutions and national attitudes remain the determinants in the welfare state across Europe.

This book will be of interest to students and scholars in the fields of social and welfare policies. It will also provide students of European Studies with a valuable analysis of the impact of the European Union on a specific policy area.

Mark Kleinman is Professor of International Social Policy, University of Bristol.