Society, Work and Welfare in Europe

'...is an ambitious book which works towards an understanding of the complexities of cross-national comparisons in employment and welfare-state structures in European socieites...My admiration for the book derives precisely from the balance it strikes between the empirical evidence of the case studies and the sensivity it shows for current debates on social issues...This outstanding volume will no doubt serve as a virtual bible to the cognnescenti who have already cottoned on to Cooper's project.' - Monica Badia, University of Cambridge

Provides students with an understanding of similarities and differences in contemporary European societies, focusing on Germany, Spain, Sweden and the UK. The changing relationship between welfare and work is explored through important issues such as changing patterns of employment, women and social policies, poverty and social exclusion.This book examines pressures for convergence and divergence in contemporary societies focusing on the rapidly changing relationship betwen work and welfare. The countries selected for in-depth comparative analysis are Germany, Spain, Sweden and the UK, each representative of different labour market and welfare regimes.

Beginning with an overview of those departmenst in the post-second world war period which shed light on the different social and institutional structures, economic directions and policy orientations of the countries concerned, the book goes on to explore changing patterns of work and employment in particular in relation to labour market reforms, new forms of production and women's participation in paid work. In its last section, it looks at current issues of social policy in Europe, including gender and poverty.

Integrating material from sociological perspectives on work and employment with comparative welfare analysis, feminist critiques and recent debates on social exclusion, the book will be of particular relevance and usefulness to students of European Studies, Sociology and Social Policy.