Western Welfare Capitalisms in Good Times and Bad

Western Welfare Capitalisms in Good Times and Bad examines policy priorities and outcomes in four Western regimes: Anglo-American liberal, Southern European 'proto-corporatist,' Scandinavian, and conservative-corporatist. It challenges the assertion of converging welfare regimes and finds that the historically social democratic Scandinavian regimes perform best in all policy domains, prioritizing egalitarian policy aims. The book is essential for scholars, policy makers, and those interested in comparing Western governments' responses to crises.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 19 September 2023
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd

Western Welfare Capitalisms in Good Times and Bad is a comprehensive analysis of policy priorities and outcomes in four Western regimes: the Anglo-American liberal regimes, Southern European 'proto-corporatist regimes, the historically social democratic Scandinavian regimes, and Western European conservative-corporatist regimes. The book challenges the notion that these regimes are converging towards a 'lean and mean Anglo-American type of welfare regime' and demonstrates how policy priorities and outcomes remain distinctive within each regime.

Chapters provide detailed analyses of a wide range of policy outcomes, including poverty, income and wealth inequality, gender inequality, personal autonomy, economic growth, economic security, and life satisfaction. The book finds that the historically social democratic Scandinavian regimes perform as well or better than other regimes in all policy domains, while continuing to prioritize their own egalitarian policy aims.

This fascinating book is essential reading for scholars of political science, sociology, and economics, as well as policy makers seeking to understand the complex dimensions of Western capitalism. It will also be valuable to those interested in comparing the differing responses of Western governments to two major crises of the 21st century: the Global Financial Crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781035312290