' … definitely one of the most invigorating and sharp analyses that has been produced over the last ten years on the theory of the evolution of the modern welfare state.' Journal of Public Policy
Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; Introduction; 1. The origins of the solidaristic welfare state: Scandinavia; 2. The triumph of the solidaristic welfare state: Britain and Scandinavia; 3. The failure of the solidaristic welfare state: France and Germany; 4. From Beveridge back to Bismarck: the superannuation issue; 5. Solidarity by the back door; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.