The reconstruction of the social state in Southern Europe

Abstract

In Spain, Portugal, Greece and (to a lessor extent) in Italy, the social state developed much more slowly than in the North of Europe, and had to face tougher socio-economic systems. These four countries have been forced to follow the risky course of internal restructuring: less generous benefits for the «insiders» and for the traditional risk areas, and new programmes for the «outsiders». In conclusion, the author speculates about the future prospects of the social state in Southern Europe within the new European context.