The Dutch polder model recently dubbed a 'success story' by Bill Clinton and Jacques Delors - plays a prominent role in current discussions about possibilities for a new 'capitalism with a social face', and appeals to experts all over the world. Just ten years ago the Swedish sociologist Gran Therborn described the Dutch employment policy as a 'spectacular failure'. The authors single out three policy changes to explain the 'miracle' that has taken place since then. The 'Dutch miracle' shows that it is difficult but not impossible to overcome the drawbacks of the welfare state and that in...