It is widely assumed today that the "welfare state" is contracting or retrenching as an effect of the close scrutiny to which entitlement to social security benefits is being subject in most developed countries. In this book, 15 authorities from nine different countries - the UK, the...

The notion of ‘flexicurity' promises to overcome the tensions between labour market flexibility on the one hand and social security on the other hand by offering ‘the best of both worlds'. In this review the development of the concept will be set against the background of changed economic...

The notion of lsquo;flexicurity' has recently become a buzzword in European labour market reform. It promises to deliver a magic formula to overcome the tensions between labour market flexibility on the one hand and social security on the other hand by offering lsquo;the best of both worlds'....

High levels of unemployment, or high levels of social expenditures as well as the growing demand for a flexible labour force have given new impetus to the world-wide discussion on what model to use for an efficiently operating labour market and in particular on the role of institutions. Although...