Developments in the Danish welfare state during the 20th century, and the outlook for the 21st century

The welfare state was probably the mast important new institutional and soc ial achievement of the 20th century! A brief summary of the main steps in t he evolution of the Danish welfare state is presented, followed by a discus sion of the possible limits to the scope nod scale of public welfare. The f inal section offers some reflections on the future of the welfare state in the 21st century.