Originally published in 1984, Contradictions of the Welfare State is the first collection of Claus Offe's essays to appear in a single volume in English. The political writings in this volume are primarily concerned with the origins of the present difficulties of welfare capitalist states, and he indicates why in the present period, these states are no longer capable of fully managing the socio-political problems and conflicts generated by late capitalist societies. Offe discusses the viability of New Right, corporatist and democratic socialist proposals for restructuring the welfare state. He also offers fresh and penetrating insights into a range of other subjects, including social movements, political parties, law, social policy, and labour markets.

Originally published in 1984, Contradictions of the Welfare State is the first collection of Claus Offe's essays to appear in a single volume in English. The political writings in this volume are primarily concerned with the origins of the present difficulties of welfare capitalist states, and he indicates why in the present period, these states are no longer capable of fully managing the socio-political problems and conflicts generated by late capitalist societies. Offe discusses the viability of New Right, corporatist and democratic socialist proposals for restructuring the welfare state. He also offers fresh and penetrating insights into a range of other subjects, including social movements, political parties, law, social policy, and labour markets.

List of figures

Acknowledgements

Editor's Preface

Foreword

Introduction, John Keane

1. 'Crises of Crisis Management': Elements of a Political Crisis Theory

2. 'Ungovernability': The Renaissance of Conservative Theories of Crisis

3. Social Policy and the Theory of the State

4. Theses on the Theory of the State

5. Legitimacy Versus Efficiency

6. Some Contradictions of the Modern Welfare State

7. The Separation of Form and Content in Liberal Democracy

8. Competitive Party Democracy and the Keynesian Welfare State

9. Political Culture and Social Democratic Administration

10. Alternative Strategies in Consumer Policy

11. European Socialism and the Role of the State

12. Reflections on the Welfare State and the Future of Socialism. An Interview

Index