European Foundations of the Welfare State

Kaufmann (emeritus, social policy and sociology, U. of Bielefeld, Germany) provides a review of the intellectual foundations that were the framework of initiatives that led to the European welfare state, in addition to basic concepts to aid readers in understanding it. He also underscores the differences between the structural and philosophical environments in continental Europe and the English speaking world. The chapters, translated from their original German, were first published separately. The book is divided into four parts: intellectual foundations, theory of social policy, theory of and for the welfare state, and the future of the welfare state. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Franz-Xaver Kaufmann is Emeritus Professor of Social Policy and Sociology at the University of Bielefeld. His research has focused on the history and institutions of social policy and the welfare state as well as its theory, demographic and family issues, and the sociology of religion. His major publications in English include: The Public Sector: Challenge for Coordination and Learning (edited, 1991); Family Life and Family Policies in Europe (co-edited, 2 vols; 1997, 2002); Varieties of the Welfare State (2012); and Thinking about Social Policy: The German Tradition (2012).