Risk Inequality and Welfare States

The Transformation Of Night-Watchman States Into Welfare States Is One Of The Most Notable Societal Developments In Recent History. In 1880 Not A Single Country Had A Nationally Compulsory Social Policy Program. A Few Decades Later Every Single One Of Today''S Rich Democracies Had Adopted Programs Covering All Or Almost All Of The Main Risks People Face: Old Age Sickness Accident And Unemployment. These Programs Rapidly Expanded In Terms Of Range Reach And Resources. Today All Rich Democracies Cover All Main Risks For A Vast Majority Of Citizens With Binding Public Or Mandatory Private Programs. Three Aspects Of This Remarkable Transformation Are Particularly Fascinating: The Trend (The Transformation To Insurance States Happened In All Rich Democracies); Differences Across Countries (The Generosity Of Social Policy Varies Greatly Across Countries); And The Dynamics Of The Process. This Book Offers A Theory That Not Only Explains This Remarkable Transition But Also Explains Cross-National Differences And The Role Of Crises For Social Policy Development.