Economics Quote by Tony Judt
““The welfare states of continental Europe—what the French call the Etat providence, or providential state—followed yet a third model. Here, the emphasis was primarily on protecting the employed citizen against the ravages of the market economy. It should be noted that ‘employed’ here is no casual adjective. In France, Italy and West Germany it was the maintenance of jobs and incomes in the face of economic misfortune that preoccupied the welfare state.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Origins of the Welfare State in Europe, 2005
The European welfare model protected employed citizens from market shocks, focusing on job and income security.
In simple terms: Welfare aimed to keep jobs and incomes stable during crises.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize job security in policy design.
Themes
social policy
employment
economic security
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
academic
policy
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- labor negotiations
- economic downturns
- social insurance
Key Concepts
welfare state
social safety net
Questions to Reflect On
- How can policies balance protection for employed and unemployed?
- What mechanisms ensure long‑term fiscal sustainability?
A Different Perspective
May neglect unemployed or informal workers.
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