One might observe some stability of the basics of the typical welfare state models which were laid out by Esping-Andersen and elaborated on in further studies. However, these stable institutions are not immune from the influence of external destabilizing factors which force institutions to...

For decades the rhetoric of federalism has been an important part of the debate over welfare reform. The alignments were predictable. Anti-big government conservatives argued for state and local control over welfare programs arrayed against New Deal liberals seeking federal funding and...