ABSTRACT

Throughout the world, politicians from all the main parties are cutting back on state welfare provision, encouraging people to use the private sector instead and developing increasingly stringent techniques for the surveillance of the poor. Almost all experts agree that we are likely to see further constraints on state welfare in the 21st Century.

Gathering together the findings from up-to-date attitude surveys in Europe East and West, the US and Australasia, this revealing book shows that, contrary to the claims of many experts and policy-makers, the welfare state is still highly popular with the citizens of most countries. This evidence will add to controversy in an area of fundamental importance to public policy and to current social science debate.

chapter |12 pages

‘Hollowing Out' Versus the New Interventionism

Public attitudes and welfare futures

chapter |18 pages

The Middle Class and Welfare State Retrenchment

Attitudes to Swedish welfare policies

chapter |35 pages

Who Wants to Preserve the ‘Scandinavian Service State'?

Attitudes to welfare services among citizens and local government elites in Finland, 1992–6

chapter |29 pages

Progressive Taxation Farewell?

Attitudes to income redistribution and taxation in Sweden, Great Britain and the United States

chapter |26 pages

Within and Without

Labour force status and political views in four welfare states

chapter |29 pages

Need, Citizenship or Merit

Public opinion on pension policy in Australia, Finland and Poland 1

chapter |22 pages

And What if the State Fades Away?

The civilising process and the state 1