The Politics of Welfare State Transformation in Germany Still a Semi-Sovereign State?

"Based on sophisticated theoretical reasoning and careful empirical analysis covering a period of 30 years, this book makes the strong case that Germany no longer represents a conservative but rather a 'work-first' welfare state. Schiller's intriguing thesis of such a regime change is well-argued and is bound to become a major contribution to the debate about the causes, and the consequences, of reforming key social policy programmes in advanced welfare states." - Jochen Clasen, University of Edinburgh, UK.

"Schiller tackles up front two major issues within the current welfare state literature: how to measure policy change and how to enact institutional change. He demonstrates how the politico-administrative system successfully facilitated a profound transformation of the German welfare state over the past thirty years. This is a must read for anyone interested in the role of core executive in welfare state reform, the conceptualisation of policy change and the future of the German welfare state." - Patrik Marier, Concordia University, Canada.