Comparative welfare state research has argued for some time that it makes a difference in regards to the specific welfare state design whether Social Democrats or Christian Democrats are in government. The theory is based on the fact that historically the social policy aims of Social Democrats...

The protection of outsiders in the era of liberalization -- Labor market policy in Austria, Denmark, and Sweden -- Relying on the weak : Austrian unions and smoothed dualization -- Strengthened governments and the erosion of Danish flexicurity -- Goodbye to Swedish social democracy and welfare...