Welfare states have spread across the globe, transforming modern civilisation. But the take-over is often going badly. In Marseilles, armed drug gangs dominate the social housing estates. In America, an outstandingly rich country, 45 million people are dependent on food stamps. In Britain, the NHS has one of the worst records for cancer care in the advanced world. Many countries are raising more in taxes but nevertheless getting deeper into debt because of their burgeoning welfare states. All around the world, behaviour is being damaged by welfare state dependency while governments become more and more like Big Brother, telling us what we must do.

James Bartholomew travelled around the world seeing how cultures and lives are being changed - seeing what is going wrong but also looking for countries where they are making a better job of it. His book is an unparalleled investigation in which he tells the story of the people and places he visited. He takes the reader on a journey, which includes burnt-out cars in France, a tough-minded benefits office in Singapore and innovative hospitals in Spain. The narrative is supplemented with many photos and graphs that demonstrate and explain. The book is like a window on the modern world.

Print length

448 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Biteback Publishing
Publication date

31 Mar. 2015
Dimensions

16.1 x 4.3 x 24.1 cm
ISBN-10

1849548307
ISBN-13

978-1849548304
See all details

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Product description

Review

"A must-read for anyone who wants to understand the political argument of the years to come." --Fraser Nelson

"A bravura performance. A tour de force." --Lord Freud

"Whatever side you take, this book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand modern life. [The book] despite being saturated with facts and statistics is a very easy, racy read." --The Salisbury Review

About the Author

James Bartholomew has studied the British welfare state and then other welfare states since the 1990s. He has been in the forefront of those arguing that the welfare states can do harm, despite their good intentions. His work has influenced the public debate and government policy.

He has been a leader-writer for the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail and written for many other publications including the Spectator. He has appeared on numerous radio stations and television programmes including Radio 5 live, Newsnight, Radio 4's Today programme, The Moral Maze and two special broadcasts on his work. In one he presented his critique of the British welfare state and in the other he argued for the abolition of the National Health Service.

His previous books include The Welfare State We're In.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Biteback Publishing; First Edition (31 Mar. 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1849548307
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1849548304
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.1 x 4.3 x 24.1 cm

Best Sellers Rank: 774,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 2,410 in Social Welfare & Services
- 34,229 in Government & Politics

Customer reviews:
57 ratings

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2 star		3%
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Cromwell

A clear way forward

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 August 2016

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excellent description of how traditional "welfare States" have produced counter intuitive outcomes. Higher unemployment, poorer education and, in the case of the UK, a dreadful Health System.

However all is not lost. Bartholomew looks at countries that have got it right and comes up with what should be any policy maker's mantra.

The key issue is self righteous politicians and self seeking bureaucrats suspending market mechanisms to appease vested interests.

His 10 tips presage a move to retaining a Welfare State but to rely much more on market mechanisms to make it work.

His ten tips for better welfare states are . If only!
1. Make housing cheaper by allowing supply to increase through an improved
planning system. Social housing is a failed policy and is already being downgraded around the world.

2 Enable everyone to choose between competing private schools.

3, Create compulsory health savings accounts and health insurance provided by competing organisations. Allow patients to choose between competing doctors and hospitals.

4. Social insurance is preferable to means-tested benefits. Allow private companies and mutual societies to offer it.

5. Means-tested benefits should be a last resort and set at significantly lower levels than social insurance benefits. Both means-tested and social insurance benefits should be backed up by active demands that beneficiaries work, coupled with provision of help in getting it.

6. Minimise benefits or accommodation given to lone parents that is not also given to married parents.

7. Make financial support for care for the elderly as even-handed as possible between those in institutions and those cared for by their children.

8. Replace unfunded government pensions with compulsory, individual, funded schemes.

9. Introduce regular referenda for national, regional and local issues.

10. Introduce constitutional limits on budget deficits and total debt.

10 people found this helpful

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tigertiger-burning bright

Meticulously researched, as was his previous book "The Welfare ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 December 2015

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Meticulously researched, as was his previous book "The Welfare State We're In". Ultimately depressing, as he shows how 'welfareism' does not benefit countries in the long run but admits that scaling back the welfare state would be politically impossible.

4 people found this helpful

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R R McAuley

education etc) then I would strongly recommend it. I was really surprised at how poorly ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 December 2017

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Fascinating book and if all the data presented (which seems to give a broad view) gives a fair view of all the issues (eg health care, employment, education etc) then I would strongly recommend it. I was really surprised at how poorly we do in the UK on many of the issues covered. I liked the tendency to favour competitive privatisation supported at council level - as opposed to that which is centrally controlled!!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2015

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Fab book. Bought it for my brother in laws birthday and he said it was just what he wanted. I also bought the follow on book for him - The Welfare State We Are In - which he loved too.

2 people found this helpful

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Alexandra Pimlico

A searching and realistic analysis

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 October 2017

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James Bartholomew gets to the root of problems in many developed nations and is not afraid to present reality and unpalatable truths.

One person found this helpful

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Doris H.

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 February 2016

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thank you

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 April 2016

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Brilliant book. Ideal for dipping in and out off. Product arrived as new and well packed and on time

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john kitson

Outstanding book. A lot of truths backed up by ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 June 2016

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Outstanding book. A lot of truths backed up by solid evidence. A must read for anyone who cares about the future of the world and society.

One person found this helpful

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