Stability and Change in Welfare States: Germany and Sweden in the 1990s

Abstract

This article examines recent changes in the German and Swedish welfare states and argues that, in contrast to Great Britain, welfare institutions, characteristics and structures have remained fairly robust. Despite retrenchment and some substantial cuts, a shift away from traditional welfare principles has not occurred. Indeed, it is likely that, at the start of the next millennium, social insurance will continue to be the hallmark of the ‘conservative’ German welfare state, while Sweden’s welfare state remains basically a social democratic and solidaristic institution. The social, political and institutional reasons for this relative stability are discussed.