ABSTRACT
One important feature of the present global crisis is the cultural orientation that has prevailed among the financial, corporate, bureaucratic and intellectual elites. Indeed, in policy regimes, ideology plays a significant role and affects the political position of various voters. Socio-economic groups change their policy preferences when the policy regime changes. However, drastic policy regime change is rare because the state partially delegates its power and authority to dominant social groups, who in turn attempt to solidify their power for the long term. This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book analyses notable policy switches that have recently occurred in France, Japan, Germany and Sweden. It illustrates how two coalitions were developmental and that attempts were made to create a social democratic welfare state. The book describes a set of comparative studies conducted by international researchers that integrate theories and approaches from political science with economics.
