Ben-Arieh and Gal draw together a collection of original essays by leading researchers on issues of major importance to all welfare states, alongside a special focus on developments in the Israeli welfare state.

Preface Perspectives on the Welfare State Normative and Consequentialist Arguments for the Welfare State by Ian Gough Welfare States, Universal Human Needs and Objective Human Welfare: Some Social Science and Socio-legal Perspectives by John Carrier and Ian Kendall Representation of Gender Equality Issues in Liberal Welfare States in the Context of Restructuring by Julia O'Connor Exclusion, Solidarity and the Challenge of Globalization by Graham Room Fifty Years of Social Security Policy Making: A Participant's Journey by Abraham Doron Issues in the Study of the Isreali Welfare State Issues and Developments in the Israeli Welfare State by Jack Habib Values, Categorical Benefits and Categorical Legacies in the Israeli Welfare State by John Gal Does the Knesset Matter? MK's Influence on the Making of Social Policy in Israel by Asher Ben-Arieh Democracy for the People? Welfare Policy Making in Israel by Yael Yishai Issues in the Development of the Welfare State Social Protection in the Post-War Era: The OECD Experience by Francis Castles Privatization and Commercialization in a Global Context by Ernie Lightman Dominance, Contest and Reframing by Martin Rein Troublesome Targeting: On the Multilevel Causes of Non-Take-Up by Wim Van Oorschot The Future of Social Policy Making by Hugh Heclo Index