The Welfare of Nations

by James Bartholomew

Why is unemployment so low in Switzerland but so high in Spain? Why is social housing more successful in Singapore than in France? Why do welfare states across the world function so differently to Britain's? The twentieth century experienced an epochal war between capitalism and communism, but the real winner of the conflict, James Bartholomew argues, was welfare statism. The defining form of government of our age, welfare states have spread across the advanced world and are changing the very nature of modern civilisation. In his bestselling book The Welfare State We're In, Bartholomew controversially argued that the British welfare state has done more harm than good. Many people - including Lady Thatcher - responded by saying, 'If that is the case, what should we do about it?' Now, in this hard-hitting and provocative new contribution, Bartholomew sets out to answer that question. Travelling across the globe, from Australia in the east to San Francisco in the west, he investigates what happens elsewhere in the world and considers which welfare models Britain could potentially follow. His search for the best education, healthcare and support services takes him to eleven vastly different countries as he teases out the advantages and weaknesses of other nations' welfare states and delves into crucial issues such as literacy, poverty and inequality. What damage is being done by failing welfare states? What lessons can be learned from the best welfare states? And is it too late to stop welfare states permanently diminishing the lives and liberties of people around the world?

Genres: Nonfiction, Economics, Politics

450 pages, Hardcover

First published March 16, 2015

About the author

James Bartholomew trained as a banker in the City of London before moving into journalism with the Financial Times and the Far Eastern Economic Review, for whom he worked in Hong Kong and Tokyo. Returning to England on the Trans-Siberian Railway through communist China and the Soviet Union – an experience which influenced his political outlook – he subsequently became a leader writer on The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail.

Reviews

[Peter Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mark Twain is often given the credit for popularizing the term he attributed to the British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

Therefore, it follows that for any positioning of views there will be statistics somewhere that you can draw upon to support your stance and position. Given that the author often quotes “selected statistics” or “extracted statistics” from a myriad of OECD, World Bank, various government agencies across various countries and academic studies also completed across a wide range of institutions, I found myself reading a work that appeared at the outset as remarkably, and positively supported, by statistical facts.

Not so it seems.

So, what are we then left with, in a work that quotes a supporting set of statistics for every two to three pages of text?

It depends what base you are coming from.

The existing welfare states born in large part during the 19th and 20th centuries in Western continental Europe, and former colonies or associated nations of the same, have been well documented and discussed many, many times before. I myself live in Australia, and discussion of the practicalities and modification, or not, of our welfare system are a constant and highly reported topic of political, media and social conversation. Regardless what side of the social, political or society hierarchy you may find yourself living in, aligned to or hold the opinions and values of.
Therefore, the presentation of supporting statistical evidence, ideas and concepts with respect to this work were for me to supplement my existing knowledge and understanding of ours and other social welfare systems and polices as opposed to providing information or insight to me for the first time.

So, how did I find the book? On balance, it is not balanced. Rather it presents the authors assessment, views and opinions of the subject matter as opposed to a semi academic work. This in turn makes it readable, and likely more accessible to most readers. Will you find an underlying political view? Yes. Will you quickly be able to expect the outcomes of the next sub topic of discussion? Yes. Will you find yourself agreeing and/or disagreeing with components of chapters? Likely, as each topic is presented with, at times, selective examples from various countries that support the author’s view, be it social welfare benefit payments, public housing, social security insurance, retirement age or government provided pensions.

So, rating. Well, it’s well written. If you take away the fact that somewhere you can probably dig up a study or a statistic to support whatever your view might be, that time travel is actually possible, or the Loch Ness monster might actually be a 100yr old hunchbacked overgrown eel in a wetsuit, then the presentation of the author’s views could be better framed, but the overall effect remains the same.

If you live in a society where you find yourself unknowledgeable of your own welfare system, warts, political opinions and all, then this could be a very interesting read. If you are unaware of the nuances of other nations welfare systems, then this could be a very interesting read.

This book is worth considering if you are looking for a work that covers social welfare models within several countries (even if they are selective examples in support of the authors underlying position). I found the work engaging. It provoked thoughts. It is well worth a read.

[David Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not an easy book to read, but it was certainly worthwhile.

I am a socialist by nature and have applauded policies that support or underpin the welfare state - generous pensions, social housing and so on. James Bartholomew suggests that the costs of running a welfare state are effectively borrowed from future generations and in many cases are unsustainable. His evidence is global and well researched, thought through and just keeps on coming. In short, his argument is compelling.

My lifelong held views were challenged and I think that he has made me reconsider a cherished point of view. Very few books have done that!

[Kaitlynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bartholomew writes convincingly but he often cherry picks statistics or leaves out relevant information from his arguments when they disprove his points. I did however learn some valuable information about the flaws in welfare systems.

[Gözde Pak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very persuasive and challenged some of my convictions on welfare.