Bent Greve

This innovative book takes a unique approach to rethinking welfare states by considering two centrally interlinked issues: namely what is welfare, and what we should expect from welfare states now and in the future. Bent Greve critically considers thinking on the core elements of welfare states, how they should be ranked and how to recognise indicators of their direction of movement. Providing expert analysis of the historical development of welfare states and the challenges and pressures experienced both regionally and globally, this book argues for a new division of welfare states and a system for balancing old and new social risk. The investigation of dilemmas and the analysis of developing welfare states are particularly illuminating and informative. Greve provides a forward-thinking approach considering long-term stability and the challenges of inequality and poverty in different welfare regimes. He effectively combines new perspectives with attention to a strong public sector economy. With insightful new analysis this book will be an invaluable read for researchers and students of social policy and welfare states.

For at kunne løse velfærdsopgaver på den bedst mulige måde er det afgørende at have viden om, hvordan velfærdssamfundet er indrettet, fungerer og er styret. Det er også nødvendigt at have viden om nogle af de problemstillinger og dilemmaer, som beslutningstagere og administratorer står over for. I denne bog beskrives og analyseres de mest centrale velfærdsmæssige problemstillinger i det danske samfund. Der inddrages sociologiske, økonomiske og politologiske teorier, der samlet set viser bredden i de forskellige tilgange, der kan bruges til at beskrive og forstå velfærdssamfundet. Bogen giver en generel introduktion til velfærdssamfundet og er skrevet til studerende på bachelorniveau og på og master- og diplomuddannelser. Bogens 6. udgave er opdateret på såvel regler og struktur som indhold i det danske velfærdssamfund. En række nye eksempler og analyser gør bl.a. bogen helt opdateret, også for så vidt angår de tal, der præsenteres.

Multidimensional Inequalities is a deep dive into the historical contexts and contemporary realities that negatively influence society and its structures. It is often overlooked that inequality is not just about income and wealth but rather a broad spectrum of intersecting factors. This book focuses on each aspect individually, analysing its effect on welfare systems, and informs about the instruments available to reduce inequality.

In the wake of the financial crisis, and with increasing numbers of people in precarious and low paid jobs, there has been a surprising surge of support for populist right-wing political parties who often promote an anti-welfare message. Tougher approaches and welfare chauvinism are on the agenda in many countries, with policies which reduce the welfare state for those seen as undeserving and changes that often disproportionally benefit the rich. Why are voters seemingly not concerned about growing inequality? Using a mixed-methods approach and newly released data, this book aims to answer this question and to show possible ways forward for welfare states.

This unique book explores the question of whether different myths and narratives have an impact on the development of welfare states. After discussing the various definitions of 'myths' and 'narratives', Bent Greve disentangles their relationship with the welfare state, referring also to debates on welfare chauvinism, deservingness and retrenchment. Greve discusses why some myths are particularly persistent and why some narratives may have a stronger impact than others. Incorporating ideas about how decision makers select and present information as well as how fake news can influence development, the book unravels narratives and perceptions about welfare scroungers, migrants and the misuse of the welfare system. Rejecting a number of long-standing myths about welfare states, Greve concludes that they have had a limited impact on welfare states' spending and development as attitudes towards welfare have remained fairly stable over the past decade. Taking a novel approach to understanding how welfare states operate and change, with a focus on European states, this book will be critical reading for academics and students of social policy and political science.

Originally published in 2005. The primary focus of this work is the relationship between family, work and the welfare system. Focusing on Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, the study draws comparisons between societies which represent different types of welfare mix between state, market and civil society. Three important issues in the transformation of the European welfare state systems are considered: The conditions for social citizenship in European welfare states and how they have changed in relation to family and work; Changes in the provision of social welfare and how they have affected the interrelationship between the welfare state, the market and civil society; The impacts of constraints on public expenditure and the financing of the welfare state. The authors discuss the question of whether the welfare states of these countries have profoundly changed over the last ten to fifteen years and examine how this might provide insights into the contemporary welfare state. The framework developed by the authors can be applied in other specific areas of the development and transformation of welfare states.

Formålet med bogen er at belyse, dels om der har været nedskæringer i den danske velfærdsstat, dels om der som en konsekvens af en række forandringer i de seneste 5-10 år er sket en vækst i uligheden i Danmark. Bogen tegner et billede af den danske velfærdsstats udvikling over de seneste år og peger på nogle myter i debatten, som påvirker udviklingen af den danske velfærdsstat. Velfærdssamfundet – enkelt, retfærdigt og effektivt? inspirerer, giver viden og kvalificerer til en diskussion om, hvordan vi fremmer den samfundsmodel, som internationalt er så berømmet, men som ofte kritiseres i Danmark, herunder for, at den ikke løser de opgaver, den skal. Bogen kan læses af studerende på de samfundsvidenskabelige uddannelser og af alle med interesse for emnet. Bent Greve er en dansk velfærds-, skatte- og arbejdsmarkedsforsker og professor ved Roskilde Universitet. Han er bl.a. kendt for sine mange bøger om velfærdsstaten.

Are we living in an age of permanent austerity? In this insightful book, Bent Greve provides a comprehensive empirical analysis of welfare states since 2000, exploring the ways in which austerity can be measured and quantified and how far retrenchment has impinged on European welfare states. Featuring clear and succinct discussions defining austerity and retrenchment, Greve offers strong methodological approaches to the measurement of austerity. This timely book provides detailed comparative European analysis, unpacking changes in health care, pension systems and employment policies to better understand the nature, impact and extent of austerity in welfare services. Detailed and nuanced, this book is critical for students of social policy, sociology and political science exploring contemporary European austerity programs. Researchers will also benefit, as the author casts new light on the development and trajectories of the modern welfare state.

The welfare state is still very much central in people’s everyday lives. The welfare state is at the same time contested and debated, and has often been argued to be in a crisis not only in the wake of the financial crisis. Welfare and welfare states used to be a national issue and prerogative. Today welfare and welfare states are influenced by national as well as regional and global decisions. However, nation states play a decisive role influenced by national preferences and ideas, and, in recent years, populism and welfare chauvinism. This book provides an overview of the central concepts through the lenses of the state, market and civil society. It also provides the reader with knowledge on distribution in societies and how this interacts and influences different groups and their position in society. There are also chapters dealing specifically with central sectors in the welfare states such as health, long-term care and education. The book uses a comparative approach as this better enables one to understand one’s own country's welfare, as well as helping to underline and see the linkages to the impact of global and regional issues on welfare states and their development. Finally, the book presents challenges and future perspectives for welfare states and their development. The book’s focus on core concepts and the variety of international welfare state regimes and mechanisms for delivering social policy provides a much-needed introduction to the rapidly changing concept of welfare for students on social policy, social studies, sociology and politics courses.

The welfare state is still very much central in people’s everyday lives. The welfare state is at the same time contested and debated, and has often been argued to be in a crisis not only in the wake of the financial crisis. Welfare and welfare states used to be a national issue and prerogative. Today welfare and welfare states are influenced by national as well as regional and global decisions. However, nation states play a decisive role influenced by national preferences and ideas, and, in recent years, populism and welfare chauvinism. This book provides an overview of the central concepts through the lenses of the state, market and civil society. It also provides the reader with knowledge on distribution in societies and how this interacts and influences different groups and their position in society. There are also chapters dealing specifically with central sectors in the welfare states such as health, long-term care and education. The book uses a comparative approach as this better enables one to understand one’s own country's welfare, as well as helping to underline and see the linkages to the impact of global and regional issues on welfare states and their development. Finally, the book presents challenges and future perspectives for welfare states and their development. The book’s focus on core concepts and the variety of international welfare state regimes and mechanisms for delivering social policy provides a much-needed introduction to the rapidly changing concept of welfare for students on social policy, social studies, sociology and politics courses.

Poverty has dire consequences on the ability to fulfil one’s aspirations for life. Poverty has strong implications for social cohesion and societies’ abilities to function in harmonious ways. This book presents the readers with the core concepts, latest development and knowledge about policies that work to eliminate absolute poverty. This volume shows what the consequences are for the quality of life of those living in poverty. It describes life for people in poverty in general, but also deals more specifically with children, in-work poverty and the elderly, thus providing a life, generational and global perspective on poverty, including the impact on people’s happiness levels. The book also discusses policies aimed at poverty reduction, such as changes to the labour market – including the risk of working poor – and shows that there is a variety of possible instruments available to reduce poverty. These range from direct provision of social security to ensuring education and a better functioning labour market. Written in an engaging and accessible style, the book provides a succinct insight into the concept of poverty, how to measure it, the situation of poverty around the globe as well as different types of possible interventions to cope with poverty. Supporting theory with examples and case studies from a variety of contexts, suggestions for further reading, and a detailed glossary, this text is an essential read for anyone approaching the study of poverty for the first time.

Poverty has dire consequences on the ability to fulfil one’s aspirations for life. Poverty has strong implications for social cohesion and societies’ abilities to function in harmonious ways. This book presents the readers with the core concepts, latest development and knowledge about policies that work to eliminate absolute poverty. This volume shows what the consequences are for the quality of life of those living in poverty. It describes life for people in poverty in general, but also deals more specifically with children, in-work poverty and the elderly, thus providing a life, generational and global perspective on poverty, including the impact on people’s happiness levels. The book also discusses policies aimed at poverty reduction, such as changes to the labour market – including the risk of working poor – and shows that there is a variety of possible instruments available to reduce poverty. These range from direct provision of social security to ensuring education and a better functioning labour market. Written in an engaging and accessible style, the book provides a succinct insight into the concept of poverty, how to measure it, the situation of poverty around the globe as well as different types of possible interventions to cope with poverty. Supporting theory with examples and case studies from a variety of contexts, suggestions for further reading, and a detailed glossary, this text is an essential read for anyone approaching the study of poverty for the first time.

Der er ikke en enkelt måde at beskrive, analysere og forstå den danske velfærdsstat på. Socialvidenskab præsenterer centrale teorier til forståelse af moderne og stadig mere komplekse samfund som det danske samt empiriske nedslag til at klargøre, hvordan det danske samfund ser ud i dag. Bogen inddrager klassiske og nye teorier til at analysere såvel på samfunds- som mikroniveau, hvordan samfund er indrettet og konsekvenserne heraf. Dertil kom­mer empiriske analyser, der viser, hvordan en teoretisk forståelse kan omsættes til konkret analyse af et samfund i udvikling især med fokus på Danmark. Den socialvidenskabelige tilgang sikrer, at læseren får viden fra forskellige perspektiver sociologi, økonomi, politologi og antropologi men samtidig inden for en ramme, der giver sammenhæng og mening. Bogen er opdelt i følgende temaer, om end der er et vist overlap mellem dem:A. Samfundstypologier, transformationer og globalisering B. Sociale risici, frygt og tryghed C. Velfærd, regulering og institutioner D. Ulighed, marginalisering og stigmatisering E. Klasse, køn, etnicitet og generation Samlet giver bogen teoretisk og empirisk viden. Den er dermed egnet til undervisning på universiteter og professionshøjskoler inden for uddannelser med ønske om at dække centrale teoretiske problemstillinger i relation til det danske velfærdssamfund og forståelse af, især sociologiske, tilgange til analyser af moderne samfund.

In the wake of the financial crisis, and with increasing numbers of people in precarious and low paid jobs, there has been a surprising surge of support for populist right-wing political parties who often promote an anti-welfare message. Tougher approaches and welfare chauvinism are on the agenda in many countries, with policies which reduce the welfare state for those seen as undeserving and changes that often disproportionally benefit the rich. Why are voters seemingly not concerned about growing inequality? Using a mixed-methods approach and newly released data, this book aims to answer this question and to show possible ways forward for welfare states.

Originally published in 2005. The primary focus of this work is the relationship between family, work and the welfare system. Focusing on Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, the study draws comparisons between societies which represent different types of welfare mix between state, market and civil society. Three important issues in the transformation of the European welfare state systems are considered: The conditions for social citizenship in European welfare states and how they have changed in relation to family and work; Changes in the provision of social welfare and how they have affected the interrelationship between the welfare state, the market and civil society; The impacts of constraints on public expenditure and the financing of the welfare state. The authors discuss the question of whether the welfare states of these countries have profoundly changed over the last ten to fifteen years and examine how this might provide insights into the contemporary welfare state. The framework developed by the authors can be applied in other specific areas of the development and transformation of welfare states.

Social and Labour Market Policy: The Basics is an engaging and accessible introduction to the subject, which explores the broad historical, social and economic factors which have affected the differing types of social and labour market policies found in welfare states. Drawing links between social policy and labour market policy the book explores key introductory topics including: Defining what we mean when we speak of social policy and labour market policy Historical origins including Bismarckian and Beveridgian reforms The range of social issues social policy aims to address, e.g. housing policy and child provision Showing how social policy enhances well-being Ideas and ideology and the effects of globalisation The functioning of the labour market. Social and Labour Market Policy: The Basics provides readers with an understanding of their importance to the development of contemporary society. This book is suitable for students of social policy as well as students taking a social policy module as part of a wider course within politics, social work, health care, sociology and economics. Researchers interested in the field will also benefit from reading this book.

Social and Labour Market Policy: The Basics is an engaging and accessible introduction to the subject, which explores the broad historical, social and economic factors which have affected the differing types of social and labour market policies found in welfare states. Drawing links between social policy and labour market policy the book explores key introductory topics including: Defining what we mean when we speak of social policy and labour market policy Historical origins including Bismarckian and Beveridgian reforms The range of social issues social policy aims to address, e.g. housing policy and child provision Showing how social policy enhances well-being Ideas and ideology and the effects of globalisation The functioning of the labour market. Social and Labour Market Policy: The Basics provides readers with an understanding of their importance to the development of contemporary society. This book is suitable for students of social policy as well as students taking a social policy module as part of a wider course within politics, social work, health care, sociology and economics. Researchers interested in the field will also benefit from reading this book.

We are witnessing the development of new technologies that could have a dramatic impact on markets for both skilled and unskilled labour, including the use of Big Data. In addition, many welfare states have once again been restructured, sometimes weakening states’ protection of employees. This timely book provides a systematic and vigorous analysis of the impact of new technology on the labour market and different kinds of welfare states. The book offers a novel contribution to the discussion of how welfare states can be maintained and developed to support groups in society who often need aid from a welfare state system. It also highlights the risk of increased social division as a consequence of these developments, and considers whether or not our response to this divide will have negative repercussions on the way societies function. With comprehensive analysis of the sharing and platform economies as well as new types of inequality, Technology and the Future of Work will appeal to academics and graduate students of social policy and readers interested in societal change more broadly.

EU member states have seen high levels of unemployment in recent years especially amongst young people. At the same time the fiscal crisis of welfare states has made it difficult for them to invest in new jobs and new economic growth. The EU, at least since the enactment of the Amsterdam treaty, has had a focus on how to support member states’ development of an employment policy which aims for higher levels of participation, lower levels of unemployment and more gender equal approaches. Through exploring patterns in the recent development of financing and governance of social services and developments of social services and employment in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany and the UK, this volume provides readers with new knowledge and evidence of the options regarding social innovation in social services. Furthermore, it provides a comparative European perspective on how the interplay between a public and private mix of social service on the one hand might help in creating jobs, and, on the other, be a way of coping with the needs and expectations of higher level of services in the core areas of the welfare state.

Bringing together researchers from the fields of social policy, economics, sociology and clinical psychology, this book offers new evidence on the inter-related problems faced by disability claimants, and identifies important lessons for policy. Explores how reducing the level of UK benefit claiming among those with health limitations has been a priority for successive governmentsArgues that current policy fails to reflect the evidence that people on long-term disability benefits face a complex combination of barriers to work and social inclusionDemonstrates that there is a need for continuing inter-disciplinary research on the nature of the ‘disability benefits problem’ and the efficacy of current policy solutions and public services