In recent years there has been much debate surrounding the future of the welfare state in Europe, the complex factors influencing reform, and the extent to which responses to pressures on welfare could lead to irreversible systemic changes in social policy. By providing an in-depth analysis of social policy developments in Greece, this work furthers understanding of welfare reform trajectories in Europe. The authors thoroughly examine aspects of structural change, challenges and responses in major policy areas of employment, social security, family and gender, health and social care, and migration. Research issues central to the debate on 'recasting European welfare states', such as structural adjustments with regard to the production, organization and delivery of welfare, significant changes in the financial side of social protection, the role of political parties, the social partners and other major social actors in influencing (or resisting) policy reform, are at the forefront of the contributions to this volume. The scope and intensity of pressures on the Greek welfare state emanating from the supranational level and the challenges linked to European integration and economic and monetary union are also of crucial importance in the analyses undertaken.

This text examines key questions facing American society: Who is responsible for determining the quality of life or for providing solutions? Who should bear the costs and benefits of societal development? What justifies government action or inaction?

This work examines the development of the Greek economy during the years 1950-1991. George A. Jouganatos divides that era into five separate political periods and evaluates each one's economic development. He supplies an overview of the political history for each period and provides a thorough analysis of specific economic policies and plans, as well as their impact on economic growth and development. The application of an original econometric model aids in the evaluation of Greek economic development over this 40-year span. Advancing the argument that Greek economic development has progressed best under highly democratic conditions with independent progressive policy, Dr. Jouganatos recommends progressive reforms aimed at achieving independent economic development.

European employment models are under pressure to meet new external challenges and changing internal needs. Nine country chapters, covering the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Italy, Greece, Spain, Hungary and Austria, reveal that institutional change in production, employment and welfare regimes is producing uneven outcomes. These outcomes are found to depend not only upon the variety of capitalism or welfare regime but also on actors' political will, at national and European level, and the model's specific architecture. Although examples of revitalization affirm the potential for institutional renewal, the prevalence of partial and incoherent reforms is eroding European employment standards. What is at stake here is the future of the European social model. The problem here is not so much the EU social and employment reform agenda but its influence on the organization of product markets and macro economic management where its policies are constraining options for social innovation.