Resilient Welfare States in the European Union

The European welfare systems have been under attack since the late 1970s, but the 2008 financial crash and the Covid-19 pandemic have proved that they are a fundamental asset in hard times. Anton Hemerijck and Robin Huguenot-Noël examine the nature of European welfare provision and the untruths that surround it and consider the impact of austerity measures and the future design of the system to better equip European societies to face social change.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: Agenda Publishing

The European welfare systems, established after the Second World War, have faced sustained attacks since the late 1970s due to the neoliberal drive towards a small state and the market as the primary tool for allocating scarce resources. Following the 2008 financial crash, Europe's high-tax and generous benefits welfare states were once again blamed for economic stagnation and political immobilism. However, the long decade of the Great Recession proved that the welfare state remained a fundamental asset in times of crisis, stabilizing the economy, protecting households and individuals from poverty, reconciling gendered work and family life, and improving the skills and competences needed in Europe's knowledge economy and aging society.

Moreover, the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic has brought back into the limelight the productive role of welfare systems in guaranteeing basic security, human capabilities, economic opportunities, and democratic freedoms. In this important contribution, Anton Hemerijck and Robin Huguenot-Noël examine the nature of European welfare provision and the untruths that surround it. They evaluate the impact of the austerity measures that followed the Great Recession and consider the future design of European welfare systems to better equip societies to face social change, from global competition to accelerated demographic aging, the digitalization of work, and climate change.

The authors argue that European welfare systems have been shaped by a combination of historical, political, and economic factors. They note that the post-war period saw the emergence of a social democratic consensus that emphasized the importance of public provision and social protection. However, in the 1980s and 1990s, neoliberal ideology gained traction, advocating for market-driven reforms and deregulation. This led to the privatization of many public services, the reduction of social spending, and the erosion of labor market protections.

Despite these challenges, the authors argue that European welfare systems have remained resilient and adaptable. They note that the welfare state has played a crucial role in mitigating the impact of economic crises, such as the Great Recession, by providing social safety nets and supporting vulnerable groups. Moreover, the welfare state has contributed to gender equality, social mobility, and social cohesion by promoting equal access to education, healthcare, and social services.

However, the authors also acknowledge that European welfare systems face several challenges in the future. These include the increasing age of the population, which will put pressure on social security systems and healthcare budgets; the digitalization of work, which may lead to job insecurity and social exclusion; and climate change, which may exacerbate social and economic inequalities.

To address these challenges, the authors suggest several policy recommendations. These include investing in education and training to ensure that workers have the skills and competences needed for the knowledge economy; promoting job security and social protection for workers in the digital economy; and implementing policies to address climate change and promote sustainable development.

In conclusion, this important contribution by Anton Hemerijck and Robin Huguenot-Noël provides a comprehensive analysis of European welfare systems and the challenges they face in the future. The authors argue that the welfare state remains a fundamental asset in times of crisis and that it is crucial to invest in its future design to better equip societies to face social change. By addressing the challenges of an aging population, digitalization of work, and climate change, European welfare systems can continue to play a vital role in promoting social justice, equality, and well-being for all.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 167 x 240 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788214858