The Response of Government: Fragile Convergence?

Abstract

This chapter considers how European governments have responded to the pressures on social welfare systems discussed in the previous chapter. It consists of three sections which summarise the challenges to welfare, analyse the responses to them and consider whether there are common themes or trends in the responses which may nourish a European direction in social protection for the next century. First, however, we must review the possibilities open to governments in responding to changes in the environment of welfare, to provide a framework to the discussion.

Governments are examining their social programmes, not only to alter any unintended effects, but also to use available resources more prudently … Social policy has an obligation to ensure that resources are mobilised more efficiently and effectively … for the credibility of the policies themselves as investments in society. (OECD, 1994c, pp. 7–8)