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Today Europeans see their strong welfare states as necessary to counter the worst features of unrestrained capitalism. They pay high taxes to support generous social benefits. Americans, to the contrary, have been conditioned to shudder at the very idea of a welfare state, upholding instead a laissez-faire faith in market solutions to social problems. They pay low taxes and have few tax-subsidized benefits.
In this far-ranging study, James W. Russell shows how and why these different models of social and welfare policy developed. He examines how Europe and the United States have handled differently, and with different consequences, such common social problems as poverty, inequality, unemployment, family support, health care provision, ethnic and racial conflict, and crime. Ultimately, Russell demonstrates that the different European and American social policy orientations have produced different social ways of life, ways of life that are now in contention for the future of western societies.
In this far-ranging study, James W. Russell shows how and why these different models of social and welfare policy developed. He examines how Europe and the United States have handled differently, and with different consequences, such common social problems as poverty, inequality, unemployment, family support, health care provision, ethnic and racial conflict, and crime. Ultimately, Russell demonstrates that the different European and American social policy orientations have produced different social ways of life, ways of life that are now in contention for the future of western societies.
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About the Author:
James W. Russell is the Connecticut State University Professor of Sociology at Eastern Connectictut State. He is the author of five other books, including, Societies and Social Life: An Introduction to Sociology, third ed. (Sloan Publishing, 2006), After the Fifth Sun: Class and Race in North America (Prentice Hall, 1994), and Modes of Production in World History (Routledge, 1989). Additionally, Russell has contributed articles and op-ed pieces to a number of magazines and newspapers: among them, The Nation, The Progressive, Monthly Review, The Hartford Courant, The Portland Oregonian, and The New York Times.
Review:
This is a wonderful book: erudite and sophisticated, yet lucid and to the point. Jim Russell offers us a sweeping portrait of the development of social policy in Europe and America and helps us to understand not only the differences between the European and American welfare state, but why these differences are so important. (Piven, Frances Fox)
Russell's tools are clear writing, tight argumentation, and impeccable logic. He uses them to calmly and surgically dismantle the myth of American superiority as he explains how and why Americans receive far fewer social welfare benefits than their European counterparts. A real eye-opener. (Levon Chorbajian)
James Russell restores my faith in sociology as the best line of inquiry into nagging political questions that too often get assigned to narrow-minded economists. We need books like this to combat academic provincialism as much as to correct social inequality. (John R. MacArthur)
In this earnest, constructive book, Russell provides a systematic sketch of the way Europeans and Americans conceive of socail welfare and deliver it in different ways. Recommended. (Choice)
Scholars of comparative social policy often include a chapter on the USA to show how far it has to go before it could be regarded as having a welfare state. In this closely argued, detailed and meticulous book Russell compares the development of social policies in the USA and in European states, pointing out areas where there are significant differences of approach but also those where one has borrowed from another. The strong historical and philosophical basis for Russell's analysis makes this a novel, engaging and challenging addition to the comparative literature. (Gary Craig)
Russell's tools are clear writing, tight argumentation, and impeccable logic. He uses them to calmly and surgically dismantle the myth of American superiority as he explains how and why Americans receive far fewer social welfare benefits than their European counterparts. A real eye-opener. (Levon Chorbajian)
James Russell restores my faith in sociology as the best line of inquiry into nagging political questions that too often get assigned to narrow-minded economists. We need books like this to combat academic provincialism as much as to correct social inequality. (John R. MacArthur)
In this earnest, constructive book, Russell provides a systematic sketch of the way Europeans and Americans conceive of socail welfare and deliver it in different ways. Recommended. (Choice)
Scholars of comparative social policy often include a chapter on the USA to show how far it has to go before it could be regarded as having a welfare state. In this closely argued, detailed and meticulous book Russell compares the development of social policies in the USA and in European states, pointing out areas where there are significant differences of approach but also those where one has borrowed from another. The strong historical and philosophical basis for Russell's analysis makes this a novel, engaging and challenging addition to the comparative literature. (Gary Craig)
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- PublisherRowman & Littlefield Publishers
- Publication date2006
- ISBN 10 0742546934
- ISBN 13 9780742546936
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages204
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Double Standard: Social Policy in Europe and the United States
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Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
(2006)
ISBN 10: 0742546934
ISBN 13: 9780742546936
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