Book Title: A Study on the Path Dependence of Welfare System Changes: A Case Study of Welfare States

Author: Kuang Yalin

Publisher: People's Publishing House

November, 2024

Publication location: Beijing

ISBN：978-7-01-026911-5

Brief Introduction of the content

The book delves into the development process and internal mechanisms of the Western welfare state system. From the early Poor Law to the establishment of the welfare state system in the mid-20th century, and then to the transformation and adjustment in the face of capitalist crises, this book uses a historical institutionalism perspective to analyze in detail how key elements such as welfare supply structure, guiding ideology, and subject responsibility work together to form path dependence. By comparing the reform practices of countries such as the UK, Germany, and Sweden at different stages, this study reveals the rigid characteristics, self strengthening trends, and internal and external influencing factors of welfare systems. In addition, the book specifically discusses the Blair government's attempt to integrate left-wing and right-wing ideas to promote the "Third Way", and evaluates its effectiveness and limitations.

This book is divided into six chapters, starting from the historical examination of the germination, expansion, transformation, and transformation stages of the welfare state system, exploring the path dependence laws in the changes of the welfare system. By comparing and analyzing the differences in different welfare state systems, the ideological differences deeply rooted behind the welfare system and the resulting different patterns have been revealed. In addition, the book specifically analyzes the response strategies of welfare systems in the face of crises, as well as the path dependence characteristics of different welfare models in crisis response. Finally, this book proposes livelihood oriented suggestions for exploring a welfare system development model that is in line with Chinese characteristics, based on the development of China's social security system. It provides academic research, policy references, and teaching references for related disciplines for China's welfare system

This book not only provides a systematic theoretical framework for understanding Western welfare states, but also offers valuable lessons and inspirations for the development of China's social security system. China is committed to achieving the goal of common prosperity, and drawing on Western experience can help build a more comprehensive social security system. At the same time, this book also has important reference value for African and other developing countries. They can draw wisdom from the path dependence model of Western welfare states, avoid detours, and more efficiently promote the formulation and implementation of their own social welfare policies, promoting social equity and harmonious development.

About the Author

Yalin Kuang, Associate Professor at the School of Public Administration, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. Director of the Social Welfare Research Professional Committee of the Chinese Society of Sociology, member of the Youth Committee of the Chinese Society of Social Security, judge of the Public Management Group of the World Vocational College Skills Competition, specially appointed researcher at the Research Institute of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security, researcher at the Development Research Center for Persons with Disabilities at Nanjing University, Special Researcher at the Center for West African Studies of UESTC, and researcher at the Center for Social Affairs and Social Security at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. Mainly researching digital governance and social policy, having led over 10 projects at the provincial and ministerial level, including the National Social Science Fund General Project and the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology; More than 50 academic papers have been publicly published in CSSCI key core journals such as "China Administrative Management", "Journal of the National Academy of Administration", and "Scientific Socialism". Many of the articles have been transferred by the important publishing department of secondary literature, and consulting reports have been adopted by relevant government departments.