Anton Hemerijck Knihy

With its beautifully symbolic cover of interrelating and multiply-coloured leaves moving dynamically over time, The Uses of Social Investment is a major publication bringing together many of the most interesting intellectuals and intellectual perspectives in the OECD academy. In Hemerijck's absorbing and massive collected volume, social investment is revealed as a deeply important (and distinct) paradigm which goes far beyond the welfare state. The book, and, as it compellingly drives home, the paradigm, is unusually and persuasively interdisciplinary, going from social policy to political science and political economy, and through law, sociology and economics. It is highly readable I found myself dipping in and out with pleasure and then getting deeply absorbed; it moves between optimistic and sceptical, practical and blue skies, and always thought-provoking. David Soskice, London School of Economics and Political Science

Leading scholars in the field examine the highly topical issue of the future the welfare state in Europe. They argue that welfare states need to adjust and examine which kind of welfare architecture will further Europe's stated goal of maximum social inclusion and justice. This volume concentrates on four principle social domains; the aged and transition to retirement; the welfare issues related to profound changes in working life; the risks and needs that arise in households and, especially, in child families; and the challenges of creating gender equality.