"Pierson's case studies are especially interesting, for they challenge a widely held view that universal programs are more durable than targeted, means-tested programs....Pierson's empirically rich analysis...constitutes a valuable contribution to an understanding of the politics of the contemporary welfare state." American Journal of Sociology

• Introduction: Conservatives and the Welfare State; Part I. Analytical Foundations: 1. The logic of retrenchment; 2. The context for retrenchment politics; Part II. The Politics of Programmatic Retrenchment: 3. Retrenchment in a core sector: old age pensions; 4. Retrenchment in a vulnerable sector: housing; 5. Retrenchment in a residualized sector: income support; Part III. The Embattled Welfare State: 6. Reagan, Thatcher and the welfare state; 7. Social policy in an era of austerity.

"Pierson's case studies are especially interesting, for they challenge a widely held view that universal programs are more durable than targeted, means-tested programs....Pierson's empirically rich analysis...constitutes a valuable contribution to an understanding of the politics of the contemporary welfare state." American Journal of Sociology

• Introduction: Conservatives and the Welfare State; Part I. Analytical Foundations: 1. The logic of retrenchment; 2. The context for retrenchment politics; Part II. The Politics of Programmatic Retrenchment: 3. Retrenchment in a core sector: old age pensions; 4. Retrenchment in a vulnerable sector: housing; 5. Retrenchment in a residualized sector: income support; Part III. The Embattled Welfare State: 6. Reagan, Thatcher and the welfare state; 7. Social policy in an era of austerity.

"Pierson's case studies are especially interesting, for they challenge a widely held view that universal programs are more durable than targeted, means-tested programs....Pierson's empirically rich analysis...constitutes a valuable contribution to an understanding of the politics of the contemporary welfare state." American Journal of Sociology

• Introduction: Conservatives and the Welfare State; Part I. Analytical Foundations: 1. The logic of retrenchment; 2. The context for retrenchment politics; Part II. The Politics of Programmatic Retrenchment: 3. Retrenchment in a core sector: old age pensions; 4. Retrenchment in a vulnerable sector: housing; 5. Retrenchment in a residualized sector: income support; Part III. The Embattled Welfare State: 6. Reagan, Thatcher and the welfare state; 7. Social policy in an era of austerity.