`This is an important and timely book not least in considering the EU′s inchoate social regime alongside established national systems, that draws attentionto the subtle, yet often neglected, ways in which welfare systems unwittingly distort the lives of their beneficiaries′ - Political Studies Rethinking European Welfare provides a wide-ranging and innovative rethinking of the study of Europe and social policy and offers new ways of analysing European welfare and its future. Whilst acknowledging the importance of research and analysis of policy making in Europe, this Reader addresses a range of other challenging and provoking issues which have been marginalized or ignored in the study of European social policy. It will be essential reading for students of European social policy, social and public administration, social work, sociology, politics, cultural studies and European studies.

The book examines major social transformations in Europe from the perspective of social theory. It offers an intriguing alternative to studies of the EU which emphasise the replacement of the nation-state by a supra-national authority.

Rethinking Social Policy is a comprehensive introduction to, and analysis of, the complex mixture of problems and possibilities within the study of social policy. Contributors at the cutting edge of social policy analysis reflect upon the implications of new social and theoretical movements for welfare and the study of social policy. Topics covered include: criminology and crime control; race, class and gender; poverty and sexuality; the body and the emotions; violence; work and welfare in Europe. Examples are drawn from a variety of welfare sectors such as: social services and community care, health, education, employment, and criminal justice. This is a course reader for The Open University course (D860) Rethinking Social Practice.

In a period of rapid change for welfare states around the world, this insightful book offers a comparative study of three historically small welfare states: the US, Japan, and South Korea. Featuring contributions from international distinguished scholars, this book looks beyond the larger European welfare states to unpack the many common political and institutional characteristics that have constrained welfare state development in industrialized democracies.

Provocative and timely examination of European integration and the specific methods that lead to a hazardous monetary union. Includes a deeper investigation of the specific crisis of monetary integration and argues how integration might be more effectively achieved with inter-jurisdictional competition.

The contributions to this volume offer an analysis of the pensions crisis: how it has come about, what it means and what measures can be taken to offset the effects of a massive shortfall between the available resources and public expectations.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has tragically exposed how today's welfare state cannot properly protect its citizens. Despite the valiant efforts of public sector workers, from under-resourced hospitals to a shortage of housing and affordable social care, the pandemic has shown how decades of neglect has caused hundreds to die. In this bold new book, leading policy analyst Ursula Huws shows how we can create a welfare state that is fair, affordable, and offers security for all. Huws focuses on some of the key issues of our time - the gig economy, universal, free healthcare, and social care, to criticize the current state of welfare provision. Drawing on a lifetime of research on these topics, she clearly explains why we need to radically rethink how it could change. With positivity and rigor, she proposes new and original policy ideas, including critical discussions of Universal Basic Income and new legislation for universal workers' rights. She also outlines a 'digital welfare state' for the 21st century. This would involve a repurposing of online platform technologies under public control to modernize and expand public services, and improve accessibility."--Provided by publisher