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Chapter 4
1. In the previous chapter we looked at theories of state formation and in this one we considered theories of welfare state formation. Does one’s theory of state formation need to be of a piece with one’s theory of welfare state formation? Or can such theories diverge in the sorts of factors they cite and explanations they provide?
2. Consider the theories of the establishment of welfare states from the chapter against the country materials for the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany in the textbook. Which theory best explains the development of the welfare state in these cases, and why?
3. In this chapter we considered theories that emphasize states and those that emphasize markets as the generators of economic performance. Some argue that the former matter more and others argue that the latter do. What is your view on this question? What are the three most difficult facts to reconcile with your view, and what do you take their implications to be for your thinking?