This article deals with the question to what extent welfare states help or hinder inter-ethnic cohesion. Derived from socio-psychological theories, two indicators are proposed: meeting and mobility. The first points towards the possibilities of real and repeated contact, while the second refers to the absence of insider/outsider boundaries. The Dutch welfare state is presented as an illustration of how to analyse social policy when looking through this lens. In both dimensions the Dutch welfare state is acting poorly. Educational policies as well as labour market policies reduce the possibilities of meeting and mobility. only subscribers can see the full article

The essay looks critically at the recent reforms of the secondary school and university, partly in the light of the July Budget. The impression given by the details of these reforms is that budgeting considerations have prevailed over supposed criteria of improving quality and efficiency. What is certain is the limited funds for both school and university, with ageing, demotivated and ill-paid staff. The educational process is the motor of a community’s development, and also a formidable promoter of social mobility if properly planned and administered. The recent reforms do not seem to be moving in this direction.only subscribers can see the full article

Italy is widely perceived as a country that is going through a phase of «malaise», mainly for economic reasons. Yet this «malaise» does not seem to emerge from the indicators that should pick it up. Income inequality and poverty have been pretty well stable for several years. After reviewing the development of inequality in the last two decades, these notes try to illustrate some phenomena that can explain the widespread perception of «social malaise» and that slip through the net of the traditional indicators. only subscribers can see the full article