Social foundations of post-industrial economies

a critical paper on Esping-Andersen

Abstract

The paper presents the main arguments of the book Social foundations of post-industrial eco­nomies, by Gosta Esping-Andersens, published in 1999. The book shows appropriately that the study of the economy of families (particularly the functions developed by women) is very important to better understand the operation of the major part of welfare regimens around the world. However, the author’s option of taking the several macroeconomic constraints as too rigid regarding the global dynamic is, from our point of view, inadequate. Esping-Ander- sen’s argumentation restrains his analytical approach and makes him closer to the most con­servative positions in the academic debate.