Minimum Income Schemes in Europe

Publisher Marketing: This new volume examines the recent trends and developments in minimum income schemes in Western Europe. In the early years of the 21st century, even the richest countries in the world have levels of poverty that few social thinkers would have anticipated a century ago if told what their countries' per capita income would be today. In contrast, many countries contend that the eradication of poverty is the primary goal of social and economic policy. This book investigates how current income transfer policies often fall short and shows why countries need mechanisms to reduce wage inequality and choose to provide universal benefits instead of systems of selective benefits targeted at the poor. Along with inter-countries comparisons, the volume also presents analysis of the minimum income schemes in effect in France, Portugal, Italy, Finland, Ireland, Belgium and Greece. Contributor Bio:  Standing, Guy Guy Standing is Professor of Development Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, UK. He has previously been Professor of Economic Security at the University of Bath, UK, Professor of Labour Economics at Monash University, Australia and Director of the Socio-Economic Security Programme of the International Labour Organization. He is co-president of the Basic Income Earth Network. His recent books include "Work after Globalization: Building Occupational Citizenship" (2009) and "Beyond the New Paternalism: Basic Security as Equality" (2002).