ABSTRACT
More than any other area, the region Berlin-Brandenburg can be regarded at present as an almost ideal illustration of the problems and challenges confronted by labour market, social welfare and economic policies throughout Germany. In Berlin the term 'social enterprise' provoked strong political resistance. 'Employment and Training Companies' represent the most important contribution to developing a culture of social enterprise in Germany. During the post-war period in the Federal Republic of Germany economic and social policy was under the influence of Keynesian ideas and concepts. Labour market policy in Germany is still Federal Government policy, determined by Federal legislation such as, the Employment Promotion Act and, to an extent, the Federal Social Welfare Act. The system's ability to function, however, was dependent upon full employment remaining a political objective or, to put it another way, the principle of the social welfare state and the principle of full employment were inextricably linked.
