The welfare we want?: The British challenge for American reform

In the UK, both Conservative and New Labour welfare strategies have been influenced by American policies. British welfare reform has continued in recent years, while American policies appear to have stagnated. What now are the lessons of British reform for America?  The welfare we want? presents a detailed and unique comparison of welfare policies in the two countries. A team of international experts outlines, compares and contrasts the reform strategies pursued in each country and summarises the results to date. The editors argue that recent American reforms have failed to address key problems but that British ideas could refresh the American policy agenda. Moreover, both systems would gain from increased transatlantic policy dialogue.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Sharing ideas on welfare ~ Robert Walker and Michael Wiseman; Welfare in the United States ~Michael Wiseman; The British perspective on reform: transfers from, and a lesson for, the US ~ Alan Deacon ; Eradicating child poverty in Britain: welfare reform and children since 1997 ~ Mike Brewer and Paul Gregg; The art of persuasion? The British New Deal for lone parents ~ Jane Millar; Beyond lone parents: extending welfare-to-work to disabled people and the young unemployed ~ Bruce Stafford; Shaping a vision of US welfare ~ Robert Walker and Michael Wiseman.

About the Author :
Robert Walker is Professor of Social Policy at the School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Nottingham. Michael Wiseman is Research Professor of Public Policy and Economics, at the Institute of Public Policy, George Washington University, USA.

Review :
"This is a book in which genuine inquiry takes precedence over policy polemics." Community Care "This is an important book. Alongside Wisconsin's W-2, Britain's New Deal is the most impressive redesign of welfare to appear. The authors apply the British version and experience to the American welfare debate, which has been too self-contained. They are thorough experts and they write well, opening a vista toward the better and bolder welfare state that might be ours on the other side of entitlement." Larry Mead, Professor of Politics, New York University "The book provides an excellent description and assessment of the UK programmes in the central chapters, with valuable wider contextual material in the other chapters. Readers seeking information on recent developments in the US and the UK will find clearly written, up-to-date accounts by leading authorities on the topics at hand." Journal of Social Policy "... a clear and detailed overview of the different systems." European Interests (ESOSC) "... a valuable review of the first six years of the Blair Government's initiatives in the area of welfare and work." Political Studies Review "This excellent book contains a collection of engaging, carefully researched and well-written essays organised around an original and significant theme: that the United States has not only influenced British welfare reform but can, in turn, draw lessons from the UK experience. It makes an invaluable contribution to ongoing debates about welfare." Mark Wickham-Jones, Department of Politics, University of Bristol "An excellent volume ... researchers and policy makers on both sides of the Atlantic should read it and ponder the issues raised." Ron Haskins, Brookings Institution, Washington DC, USA