State action, trade unions and voluntary unemployment insurance in Great Britain, Germany, and Scandinavia, 1900–1934

Abstract

The paper examines the reforms of unemployment insurance which took place during the period from 1900 to 1934 in Britain, Germany, Denmark and Sweden. In Britain and Germany the basis of unemployment insurance in trade unionism disappeared while in Denmark and Sweden trade union schemes were strengthened as a result of policy. The main features of public unemployment insurance which were created in the four countries still exist since both Britain and Germany have compulsory state insurance schemes and the two Scandinavian countries have voluntary schemes which are administered with close ties to trade unions.