Provides insight into the politics of welfare reform. Examining policy responses to social exclusion in the US, France, Denmark, the UK, and at the EU level since 1997, this work argues that the development of active labour market policies is not the answer and that the reforms are indicative of a shift towards conditional welfare.

Based on in depth interviews with key policy makers, this volume provides an original and much-welcomed insight into the politics of welfare reform. Examining recent policy responses to social exclusion in the US, France, Denmark, the UK, and at the EU level since 1997, Anne Daguerre argues that the development of active labour market policies is not the answer and that the reforms are indicative of a shift towards conditional welfare.

Introduction: An Overview of Welfare Reform in Europe and The US - The Evolution of The US Workfare Model - Welfare Reform in The UK: Helping or Forcing People Back into Work? - Active Labour Market Policies in Denmark: Towards a Discriminatory Workfare Regime? - Testing Resistance to Change: The Erratic Imposition of Workfare at The Margins of French Society - Activation policies at the EU Level: The Move Towards Workfare - Conclusion: The Advent of The 'Active Welfare State'