Considering that social services could be provided either by the public sector and private bodies, the dimensions of the Welfare State are similar in Europe and in the Usa. However, the breakdown in spending is different: more is spent on health in the Usa whereas assistance and social security are the priorities in Europe. The redistributive effects of the two systems are difficult to assess given that each item of social spending presents specific features. It must, however, be stressed that the dimensions of the social state are an inadequate criterion to compare the level of redistribution of social spending.only subscribers can see the full article

Equality and efficiency are the reasons why public provision and production of social services need to be supported. This does not mean doing away with all monetary benefits: a minimum income, for example, is urgently needed for our country. However, the idea that the public provision and production of social services should be scaled down is highly debatable yet supported by many left-wingers.only subscribers can see the full article

Spending on social protection constitutes a large part - between a fifth and a third - of total resources produced by advanced economies. The Social State is however a recent institution which mainly developed in the post war years. Today however many believe it to be in crisis. After a brief outline of the historical development of the Welfare State, this paper will go on to analyse the present extension and distribution of social spending in Italy and in the rest of the Eu. Lastly it will highlight future prospects and challenges in the light of the modified economic context with particular reference to the rise in integration between countries, to the slowdown in economic growth in Europe and the spreading of new technologies. Consolidated knowledge as well as clichés devoid of any empirical foundation will be illustrated. only subscribers can see the full article