ABSTRACT
Since the gradual establishment of welfare state structures, Germany has experienced a series of regime changes, social upheaval, severe economic crises as well as two world wars. And yet the German welfare system is often seen in the light of a fundamental continuity since its origins under the chancellor Otto von Bismarck. However, the Bismarckian social insurance system is overall of more significance for the historical development of welfare states than for understanding the German welfare system today. Owing to the large extent of structural changes and national political discontinuity, it makes sense, in portraying the development of the German welfare state, to concentrate on two particular phases: reconstruction and development (1945-1974/75), and modification or rather restructuring (1975/76 until the present day), (Christen et al. 2003: 12f.; Butterwegge 2005: 37; Hegelich 2006: 57; for the historical development, see Schmidt et al 2007). The following historical perspective will present the most important stages of development and turning points of the German welfare state. In view of the inherited fundamental problems, the historical legacy of the Bismarck era will also be touched on. The current situation of welfare political development will then be analysed on the basis of five categories: services provided by the German welfare state, recipients, provision, funding and allocation. The results will subsequently be summarized with regard to a possible characterization of the German welfare system.
Historical foundation of the German welfare system
