Incomes and the Welfare State Essays on Britain and Europe [Paperback]

Discussion of the future of the Welfare State in Britain in European context.The Welfare State in the 1990s is the subject of intense debate by economists, sociologists and political scientists. Setting the argument in the context of inequality and poverty in Europe, its existing role is described, including suggested ways by which social security may be reformed.The Welfare State in the 1990s is the subject of intense debate by economists, sociologists and political scientists. Setting the argument in the context of inequality and poverty in Europe, its existing role is described, including suggested ways by which social security may be reformed.The Welfare State in the 1990s is the subject of intense debate by economists, sociologists and political scientists. Professor Atkinson begins by setting the argument in the context of inequality and poverty in Europe. The role of the existing Welfare State is then described, especially retirement pensions and unemployment benefits. Finally, he suggests ways by which social security may be reformed. The case for targeting, a basic income and the Social Chapter are discussed as they apply to British policy in a European context.Part A. Income Inequality and Poverty in Britain and Europe: 1. What is happening to the distribution of income in the UK?; 2. Income distribution in European countries with L. Rainwater and T. Smeeding; 3. Poverty statistics and progress in Europe; 4. Comparing poverty rates internationally: recent studies in OECD countries; 5. Two nations in early retirement? The case of Britain with H. Sutherland; Part B. Analysis of the Welfare State: 6. Is the Welfare State necessarily a barrier to economic growth?; 7. A national minimum? A history of ambiguity in the determination of benefit scales in Britain; 8. The development of state pensions in the United Kingdom; 9. Income maintenance for the unemployed in Britain and the response to high unemployment; 10. Institutional features of unemployment insurance l3c