Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/125697 
Year of Publication: 
2013
Series/Report no.: 
WWWforEurope Working Paper No. 41
Publisher: 
WWWforEurope, Vienna
Abstract: 
In a comparative framework, the paper uses a recently observed shift away from cash transfers and towards the provision of rehabilitation services to identify barriers to welfare policy reform. The analysis relies on the assumption that some European welfare regimes have a similar initial structure but may differ in their speed of adaptation to the challenges posed by external shocks. A detailed comparison of fast moving and slow moving countries allows us to identify some of the barriers to change. Throughout the analysis, we focus on provisions for people with disabilities, where the above shift has been observed, and with much variation across member states. Comparing policy developments in Finland, Norway, and Sweden in the past twenty years we identify fiscal constraints, historical commitment to equal rights, policy making capacity, and centralisation as important drivers of change. While some of these factors are beyond the control of policy makers, some can be strengthened by governments wishing to improve the long term performance of the welfare system.
Subjects: 
Academic research
challenges for welfare system
good governance
institutional reforms
labour markets
multi-level governance
policy options
political economy of policy reform
social development
social innovation
welfare reform
welfare state
JEL: 
I38
D78
H75
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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