Welfare States: And The Winner Is?

1. In terms of Europe, social scientists distinguish three broad welfare models: Nordic, Continental European and Anglo-Saxon.

2. Nordic countries offer a high level of “cradle to grave” welfare, with an emphasis on preschool child care and education. The system is designed to keep women and older people in the labor market.

3. The Continental model features social insurance systems that offer strong protection to insiders with protected jobs, while continuing to regulate employment and the labor market.

4. The Anglo-Saxon model tends to make welfare payments smaller and more selective. It encourages private provision of health care, education and pensions for the better off.

5. The Nordic model seems to have proved the most effective at reducing poverty without discouraging people from work, although it comes with the highest taxes.

From Young People Left Out as European Social Fabric Tears by Paul Taylor (New York Times)