The current economic crisis has presented itself as a formidable challenge to the welfare states of Europe. It is more relevant than ever to ask: do existing minimum income protection schemes succeed in adequately protecting citizens, be it whether they are excluded from work, working, retired, or having children? Drawing on in-depth and up-to-date institutional data from across Europe and the US, this volume details the reality of minimum income protection policies over time. Including contributions from leading scholars in the field, each chapter provides a systematic cross-national analysis of minimum income protection policies, developing concrete policy guidance on an issue at the heart of the European debate.
'This book surely deserves an award for its timeliness - and also for its scholarly qualities. It offers a coverage of the key issues related to minimum income protection policies that is simply unmatched, be it in terms of thoroughness, reach or depth: a must-read contribution for anyone working in the social policy field.' - Gosta Esping-Andersen, Professor of Sociology at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
'Significant work providing a rich overview of minimum income systems, highly relevant to the current and future EU social policy debate.' - László Andor, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Belgium
'We live in a world with ever-increasing inequality in rich European and Anglo -Saxon nations. The minimum income question the basic right of all persons, especially vulnerable ones like children and the elderly, to sufficient resources to live in a manner compatible with human dignity takes on new importance in such a world. I urge all who are interested in poverty and inequality, especially policy makers and advocates, to read Marx and Nelson for a refreshing, sobering and important take on the minimum income question.' - Timothy M. Smeeding, Director for the Institute for Research on Poverty and A & S Distinguished Professor of Public Affairs and Economics at the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs, USA
'This volume provides the most authoritative comparative analysis of policy developments in the realmof minimum income rotection available today. Based on unique up-to-date institutional data and rigorous analyses, it yields new insights and is essential reading for all who care about changing welfare states.' - Walter Korpi, Professor of Social Policy, Stockholm University, Sweden
'Significant work providing a rich overview of minimum income systems, highly relevant to the current and future EU social policy debate.' - László Andor, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Belgium
'We live in a world with ever-increasing inequality in rich European and Anglo -Saxon nations. The minimum income question the basic right of all persons, especially vulnerable ones like children and the elderly, to sufficient resources to live in a manner compatible with human dignity takes on new importance in such a world. I urge all who are interested in poverty and inequality, especially policy makers and advocates, to read Marx and Nelson for a refreshing, sobering and important take on the minimum income question.' - Timothy M. Smeeding, Director for the Institute for Research on Poverty and A & S Distinguished Professor of Public Affairs and Economics at the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs, USA
'This volume provides the most authoritative comparative analysis of policy developments in the realmof minimum income rotection available today. Based on unique up-to-date institutional data and rigorous analyses, it yields new insights and is essential reading for all who care about changing welfare states.' - Walter Korpi, Professor of Social Policy, Stockholm University, Sweden