The conference of the European Institute for social security, on the social security and the economic crisis, prepared by its Colloque, held in Tole do in 1981, was held from the 30th of September untill the 2nd of October in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands. The Yearbook 1982 contains the reports presented at the Conference in Zoetermeer, which was opened by the Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, L. de Graaf. The Conference had before it ten national reports and seven synthesis reports (Paul 0 'Higgins, Benefits in general; Jan Pierik, Financing; Winfried Schmahl, Pensions; Yves Saint Jours, Health; Pasquale Sandulli, Unemployment; Martin Partington, Minimum income and family allowances; Jef van Langendonck, Social Security and Economic Insecurity). Most unfortunately Paul O'Higgins did not deliver the written text of his report and we regret that for that reason, we cannot include his report in this yearbook. The Conference, which got the hospitality of the Dutch Social Security Council in Zoetermeer, was very well organised and financed by the Dutch social security institutions and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. The Institute wants to express its sincere gratitude to Mr. J. Oosterhuis and his collegues and to the ladies of the secretariat Annemie Dancot, Jose Goes, Joke Torenburg and Lisette Veldkamp.

The conference of the European Institute for social security, on the social security and the economic crisis, prepared by its Colloque, held in Tole do in 1981, was held from the 30th of September untill the 2nd of October in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands. The Yearbook 1982 contains the reports presented at the Conference in Zoetermeer, which was opened by the Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, L. de Graaf. The Conference had before it ten national reports and seven synthesis reports (Paul 0 'Higgins, Benefits in general; Jan Pierik, Financing; Winfried Schmahl, Pensions; Yves Saint Jours, Health; Pasquale Sandulli, Unemployment; Martin Partington, Minimum income and family allowances; Jef van Langendonck, Social Security and Economic Insecurity). Most unfortunately Paul O'Higgins did not deliver the written text of his report and we regret that for that reason, we cannot include his report in this yearbook. The Conference, which got the hospitality of the Dutch Social Security Council in Zoetermeer, was very well organised and financed by the Dutch social security institutions and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. The Institute wants to express its sincere gratitude to Mr. J. Oosterhuis and his collegues and to the ladies of the secretariat Annemie Dancot, Jose Goes, Joke Torenburg and Lisette Veldkamp.

Introduction -- Theory -- Who are the ministers? -- Appointing ideologues, partisans, and loyalists -- Social welfare policies -- Employment policies -- Ireland -- The Netherlands -- Greece -- Conclusion