STABILITY AND CHANGE IN WELFARE STATES - GERMANY AND SWEDEN IN THE 1990S

This article examines recent changes in the German and Swedish welfare states and argues that, in contrast to Great Britain, welfare institu tions, characteristics and structures have remained fairly robust. Des pite retrenchment and some substantial cuts, a shift away from traditi onal welfare principles has not occurred. Indeed, it is likely that, a t the start of the next millennium, social insurance will continue to be the hallmark of the 'conservative' German welfare state, while Swed en's welfare state remains basically a social democratic and solidaris tic institution. The social, political and institutional reasons for t his relative stability are discussed.