The Crisis Imperative
Crisis Rhetoric And Welfare State Reform In Belgium And The Netherlands In The Early 1990s
- Editore:
Amsterdam University Press
- Collana:
- Changing Welfare States
- EAN:
9789053568088
- ISBN:
9053568085
- Pagine:
- 232
- Formato:
- Paperback
- Lingua:
- Inglese
Descrizione The Crisis Imperative
Belgium and the Netherlands were perfect examples of the "welfare without work" policy that characterized European welfare states -- until a political crisis in both countries during the early 1990s produced a surprising divergence in administration. While Belgium's government announced major reforms, its social security policy remained relatively resilient. In the Netherlands, however, policymakers implemented unprecedented cutbacks as well as a major overhaul of the disability benefits program. "The Crisis Imperative" explains this difference as the result of crisis rhetoric--that is, the deliberate construction of a crisis as the imperative for change. It will be a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and anyone interested in welfare reform in the United States and abroad.