43 country case studies on the performance of politics, economy and society

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The book examines 43 significant countries, including all EU members, developed OECD nations, and BRICS countries, focusing on their prosperity and welfare. Welfare is defined through eight values: prosperity, ecological sustainability, innovation, social security (support during risks and investments in education), equality of participation, appreciation of diversity (including gender and migrant friendliness), social integration, and autonomy (freedom of choice and capabilities). The analysis considers changes in prosperity and welfare in the context of the world financial crisis and the subsequent recession. The case studies aim to explain variations in performance regarding these goals through the institutional logics and policies in place. Rather than assuming a single modernization path towards growth and inclusion, the author identifies at least six distinct institutional development paths: the social democratic (universalist) path, the economically liberal path, the status-conserving path, the familistic path, the evolving post-socialist countries, and the productivist path of economic growth in East Asia. Institutions analyzed include political regimes, economies, gender roles, social security systems (pension, health, labor market, family), and education.