Federalism and the Welfare State New World and European Experiences [Paperback]

This volume, first published in 2005, focuses on more than a century of interaction between political institutions and social policy outcomes.In this unique and provocative contribution to the literatures of political science and social policy, ten leading experts question the prevailing view that federalism always inhibits the growth of social solidarity. Their comparative study of the evolution of political institutions and welfare states in the six oldest federal states--Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and the US--reveals that federalism impedes and facilitates social policy development and also suggests that federalism may actually protect the welfare state, and welfare states may enhance national integration.In this unique and provocative contribution to the literatures of political science and social policy, ten leading experts question the prevailing view that federalism always inhibits the growth of social solidarity. Their comparative study of the evolution of political institutions and welfare states in the six oldest federal states--Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and the US--reveals that federalism impedes and facilitates social policy development and also suggests that federalism may actually protect the welfare state, and welfare states may enhance national integration.Ten experts question prevailing views that federalism always inhibits the growth of social solidarity. Their comparative study of the evolution of political institutions and welfare states in the six oldest federal states--Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, the U.S.--reveals that federalism can facilitate and impede social policy development. Development is contingent on several time-dependent factors and this study suggests that federalism may actually protect the welfare state, and welfare states may enhance national integration.Preface; 1. Introduction: Federalism and the welfare state Herbert Obinger, Francis G. Castles and Stephan LeilcÝ