Gathering among the best European specialists of welfare state comparisons, this book organises comprehensive and up to date information on European welfare state reforms in an analytical framework which allows a new approach to social policy changes.

• Demonstrates that, contrary to the common view, 'Bismarckian' welfare states have changed significantly
• Contains long term but also very accurate data and perspective beginning from the 1980s and up to the most recent reforms
• Speaks to two literatures: the one on welfare state, social policies and welfare state reforms; the other to the political science literature on changes, path dependency and incremental changes
• Organises comprehensive and up to date information on European welfare state reforms in an analytical framework
• Includes contributions from the best specialists of the field, including members of the European academic community of social policy comparativists