Society, Work and Welfare in Europe

ISBN-13: 9780333729953 / Angielski / Miękka / 1998 / 224 str.

Christine Cousins

Opis

This text provides students with a critical understanding of similarities and differences in contemporary European societies. Whilst its focus is particularly on Germany, Spain, Sweden and the UK as representative and interesting examples of different social regimes it makes wide reference to countries across Europe as a whole. The changing relationship between work and welfare is explored through such important sociological and social policy issues as changing patterns of employment and work, women and social policies, and poverty and social exclusion.

Spis treści

PART ONE: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND THE PERSISTENCE OF NATIONAL DIFFERENCES.- Foundations of Modern Society: Germany, Spain, Sweden and the UK.- The Making of Contemporary Societies: Germany, Spain, Sweden and the UK.- PART TWO: CHANGING PATTERNS OF WORK AND EMPLOYMENT.- Employment Protection Regimes and the Regulation of Labour MarketsWomen and Employment.- The Restructuring of Work.- PART THREE: SOCIAL WELFARE, GENDER, POVERTY AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION IN EUROPE.- Women and Social Policies in Europe: The Development of Gendered Welfare RegimesPoverty in Europe.- Conclusion: Social Exclusion in Europe.

O autorze

CHRISTINE COUSINS is Principal Lecturer in the Department of Social Sciences, University of Hertfordshire. She is the author of Controlling Social Welfare: A Sociology of State Welfare, Work and Organisations.

Blurb

This book examines pressures for convergence and divergence in contemporary societies focusing on the rapidly changing relationship betwen work and welfare. The countries selected for in-depth comparative analysis are Germany, Spain, Sweden and the UK, each representative of different labour market and welfare regimes.

Beginning with an overview of those departmenst in the post-second world war period which shed light on the different social and institutional structures, economic directions and policy orientations of the countries concerned, the book goes on to explore changing patterns of work and employment in particular in relation to labour market reforms, new forms of production and women's participation in paid work. In its last section, it looks at current issues of social policy in Europe, including gender and poverty.

Integrating material from sociological perspectives on work and employment with comparative welfare analysis, feminist critiques and recent debates on social exclusion, the book will be of particular relevance and usefulness to students of European Studies, Sociology and Social Policy.