Prior to the crisis of the late 1990s, East Asia’s welfare states were premised on two sets of ideas: «welfare developmentalism» according to which social policy is viewed principally as an instrument for economic growth, and Confucian familism, which saw the family as the main site of welfare provision. The weaknesses of this approach were painfully exposed during the economic crisis of the late 1990s. In response, many East Asian countries have strengthened and expanded their welfare provisions. This paper explores the contrasting trajectories of welfare development across E. Asia, highlighting ways in which both the economic reform context and the political dynamics of reform are shaping welfare state outcomes. only subscribers can see the full article