Not since the 1940s has there been such comprehensive scope for uncertainty within and about Europe. New Perspectives on the Welfare State in Europe offers an appraisal of comparative social policy and applies it to current uncertainties concerning European communities and European-North American and East Asian relationships. Including contributions from Deakin, Klein, Leibfried, Mishra and Rose the work should provide essential reading for students, researchers, lecturers and policy makers in social policy, politics and sociology.