'This is a fine book and shows an analytic and authorial maturity that we would all do well to emulate. The results are striking, important, and persuasive even if distressing to those of us who want to believe that the right government can make a difference. Beyond the obvious readership of those interested in social welfare policy, anyone interested in the relations among economy, society, and polity would do well to read this book.' Jennifer L. Hochschild, Political Science Quarterly

• Preface; 1. The welfare state: some neglected considerations; 2. Theoretical perspectives on the welfare state; 3. Social welfare spending in advanced industrial democracies; 4. Social welfare spending and democratic political context; 5. Economic growth, social welfare spending, and income inequality; 6. Infant mortality, equality, and social welfare spending; 7. Conclusions: the causes and consequences of the welfare state; References.

'This is a fine book and shows an analytic and authorial maturity that we would all do well to emulate. The results are striking, important, and persuasive even if distressing to those of us who want to believe that the right government can make a difference. Beyond the obvious readership of those interested in social welfare policy, anyone interested in the relations among economy, society, and polity would do well to read this book.' Jennifer L. Hochschild, Political Science Quarterly

• Preface; 1. The welfare state: some neglected considerations; 2. Theoretical perspectives on the welfare state; 3. Social welfare spending in advanced industrial democracies; 4. Social welfare spending and democratic political context; 5. Economic growth, social welfare spending, and income inequality; 6. Infant mortality, equality, and social welfare spending; 7. Conclusions: the causes and consequences of the welfare state; References.

'This is a fine book and shows an analytic and authorial maturity that we would all do well to emulate. The results are striking, important, and persuasive even if distressing to those of us who want to believe that the right government can make a difference. Beyond the obvious readership of those interested in social welfare policy, anyone interested in the relations among economy, society, and polity would do well to read this book.' Jennifer L. Hochschild, Political Science Quarterly

• Preface; 1. The welfare state: some neglected considerations; 2. Theoretical perspectives on the welfare state; 3. Social welfare spending in advanced industrial democracies; 4. Social welfare spending and democratic political context; 5. Economic growth, social welfare spending, and income inequality; 6. Infant mortality, equality, and social welfare spending; 7. Conclusions: the causes and consequences of the welfare state; References.