The recent financial and economic crisis is intensifying the pressure for budget consolidation,increasing the likelihood of cuts in social services throughout Europe. One government after another is bringing forward a budget consolidation programme. Cuts are envisaged above all in social services and so the question arises of what effects this will have on welfare states in EU member countries and on Social Europe in general. In this study cuts in social systems are analysed and compared, both planned and already undertaken. Regardless of the different magnitudes of the austerity efforts and the policy fields concerned there can be no doubt that all austerity programmes are regressive in nature and that the option of raising incomes is being exercised far less frequently than spending cuts and this applies especially in the social realm.
P. Arestis and T. Pelagidis, “Absurd Austerity Policies in Europe,” Challenge, No. 6, 2010, pp. 54-61.
J. Alber, “The European Social Model and the United States,” European Union Politics, Vol. 7, No. 3, 2006, pp. 393-419. HHUdoi:org/10.1177/1465116506066272U
Ch. Strünck, “Wahlverwandtschaften Oder Zufallsbekann- tschaften? Wie Wohlfahrtsstaat und Wirtschaftsmodell zusammenh?ngen,” R. Heinze, A. Evers, So-zialpolitik, VS Verlag, Wiesbaden, 2008, pp. 139-156.
G. Esping-Andersen, “The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism,” John Wiley and Sons, Cambridge, 1990.
K. Busch, “Die Perspektiven des Europ?ischen Sozial- modells,” Arbeitspapier Nr. 92, Hans-B?ckler-Stiftung, Düsseldorf 2005.
F. W. Scharpf, “The European Social Model,” Journal of Common Market Studies, Vol. 40, No. 4, 2002, pp. 645- 670. HHUdoi:org/10.1111/1468-5965.00392U
W. Streeck, “Competitive Solidarity: Rethinking the? European Social Model,” KKontingenz und Krise, Campus Publisher, Frankfurt, 2000, pp. 245-262.
M. Threfall, “European Social Integration: Harmonization, Convergence and Single Social Areas,” Journal of European Social Policy, Vol. 13, No.2, 2003, pp. 121-139. HHUdoi:org/10.1177/0958928703013002002U
A. Sapir, et al., “An Agenda for a Growing Europe. Making the EU System Deliver,” Report of an Independent High Level Group Established on the Initiative of the President of the Commission, Brussels, 2003.
K. Busch, “Das Korridor-Modell ein Konzept zur Weite- rentwicklung der EU-Sozialpolitik,” Wohlfahrtsstaat. Krise und Reform im Vergleich, Metropolis Publisher, Marburg, 1998, pp. 273-295.
W. Streeck, “Gewerkschaften zwischen Nationalstaat und Europ?ischer Union,” Working Paper 96/1. K?ln: Max- Planck-Institut für Gesellschaftsforschung, 1996.
Ch. Joerges and F. R?dl, “Social Market Economy as Europe’s Social Model?” A European Social Citizenship? Preconditions for Future Policies from a Historical Perspective, Lang Publisher, Brüssel, 2004, pp. 125-157.
S. Leibfried and P. Pierson, “Semi-Sovereign Welfare States: Social Policy in a Multi-Tiered Europe,” European Social Policy: Between Fragmentation and Integration, Brookings Institutions Press, Washington, 1995, pp. 43-77
A. Aust, “Umbau oder Abbruch des Europ?ischen Sozial- modells? Bemerkungen zu einer aktuellen europ?ischen Strategiedebatte,” Erweiterung und Integration der EU. Eine Rechnung mit vielen Unbekannten, VS Verlag, Wiesbaden 2004, pp. 147-174.
I. Hofbauer, “Das Europ?ische Sozialmodell als trans- nationales Modernisierungsund Legitimationskonzept,” Kurswechsel, No. 1, 2007, pp. 38-47.
L. Hooghe and G. Marks, “The Making of a Polity. The Struggle over European Integration,” Continuity and Change in Contemporary Capitalism, CUP, Cambridge 1999, pp. 70-100.
European Commission, “Growth, Competitiveness, and employment: The Challenges and Ways Forward into the 21st Century,” Com (93) 700 Final, Brussels, 1993.
G. Schmid, “Europas Arbeitsm?rkte im Wandel. Institutionelle Integration oder Vielfalt?” Die Reformf?- higkeit von Industriegesellschaften: Fritz W. Scharpf Festschrift zu seinem 60. Geburtstag, Campus Publisher, Frankfurt/New York, 1995, pp. 250-276.
B. Priddat, “Linke Angebotspolitik?” Neue Balance zwis- chen Markt und Staat? Sozialdemokratische Reformstra- tegien in Deutschland, Frankreich und Gro?britannien, Wochenschau Publisher, Schwalbach/Ts., 2001, pp. 99-116.
U. Brand, “Strategien progressiver Kr?fte in Europa. Re- bellische Subjektivit?t und radikale Forderungen,” Widerspruch Beitr?ge zu sozialistischer Politik, No. 50, 2006, pp. 167-174.
A. Heise, “Toxische Wissenschaft? Zur Verantwortung der ?konomen für die gegenw?rtige Krise,” Wirtscha- ftsdienst, Vol. 89, No. 12, 2009, pp. 842-848.
A. Heise, “Finanz-und Steuerpolitik nach der Krise sind die Weichen Richtig Gestellt?” Perspektiven ds. Zei- tschrift für Gesellschaftsanalyse und Reformpolitik, Vol. 27, No. 1, 2010, pp. 53-63.
A. Heise, “Optimal Public Debts, Sustainable Deficits, and Budgetary Consolidation,” Empirica, Vol. 29, No. 4, 2002, pp. 319-337.
Federal Ministry of Finance, “Nachhaltig Sparen-Gerecht Sparen: Das Zukunftspaket der Bundesregierung BRD Presse, Wirtschaft und Verwaltung,” 9. 6. 2010. http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/DE/Wirtschaft__und__Verwaltung/Finanz__und__Wirtschaftspolitik/Bundeshaushalt/20100609-Sparen.html.
S. Hegelich, H. Meyer, Konflikt and Verhandlung, “Sozialer Friede: Das deutsche Wohlfahrtssystem, in: K. Schubert,” Europ?ische Wohl-fahrtssysteme: Ein Handbuch, VS Verlag, Wiesbaden, 2008, pp. 127-148.
Federal Ministry of Finance, “Germany Stability Programme 2010: January 2010 Update (Fiscal and Economic Policy)” 2010. http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/nn_1270/nsc_true/DE/Wirtschaft__und__Verwaltung/Finanz__und__Wirtschaftspolitik/Finanzpolitik/Deutsches__Stabilitaetsprogramm/Kabinettvorlage__Germany__Stability__Programme__Jan__2010__Update,templateId=raw,property=publicationFile.pdf .
Bundesregierung Online, “Für ein Gerechtes, Soziales, Stabiles, Wettbewerbliches und Transparentes Gesund- Heitssystem, Eckpunktepapier zum Gesundheitssystem vom” 6.7.2010. http://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/DE/__Anlagen/2010/2010-07-06-eckpunkte-gesundheit,property=publicationFile.pdf
F. Blank and S. Leiber, “Nachhaltige Finanzierung des Ge Sundheitssystems ohne Kopfpauschalen,” WSI-Mittei- lungen, Vol. 63, No. 10, 2010, pp. 542-543.
Ley Decreto Medidas Adicionales, “Ley decreto Medidas Adicionales,” Bultin Oficial del Estado, No. 126, 24 May 2010.
Labour Market Act Spain, “Líneas de Actuación En El Mercado De Trabajo Para Su Discusión Con Los Interlo- Cutores Sociales En El Marco Del Diálogo Social,” Presi- dencia del Gobierno de Espa?a 2010. http://www.la-moncloa.es/ActualidadHome/2009-2/050210EnlaceDocumento
Eurostat, “Website: Europ?ische Statistik der Europ?i- schen Kommission: L?nderprofile, Luxemburg,” 2010. HHhttp://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/eurostat/home/
S. Lessenich, “Spanien: Arbeitsmarkt und Sozialpolitik im postautorit?ren Wohlfahrtsstaat,” Arbeitslosigkeit und Wohlfahrtsstaat in Westeuropa, Leske and Budrich Publisher, Wiesbaden, 1997, pp. 281-310.
El Mundo, “El Gobierno Da Marcha Atrás En Su Propuesta De Elevar a 25 A?os La Base Para Calcular Las Pensiones,” El Mundo, 3.2.2010
K. Hinrichs, “Rentenreformen in Europa: Konvergenz der Systeme?” Wandel der Wohl Fahrtsstaaten in Europa, Nomos Publisher, Baden-Baden, 2008, pp. 155-177.
P. de Villota Gil-Escoin and S. Vázquez, “Work in Progress: Das spanische Wohlfahrtssystem,” Europ?ische Wohlfa hrtssysteme: Ein Handbuch, VS Publisher, Wiesbaden, 2008, pp. 169-185.
Stability Programme GR, “Update of the Hellenic Stability and Growth Programme: Including an Updated Reform Programme.”2011. http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/sgp/pdf/20_scps/2009-10/01_programme/el_2010-01-15_sp_en.pdf.
Stability Programme GR, “March 2010 Report to the Implementation of the Hellenic Stabilitiy and Growth Programme and Additional Measures.”2011. HHhttp://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/sgp/pdf/30_edps/other_documents/2010-03-08_el_progress_report_en.pdfHH
K. Davaki and F. Mossialos, “Financing and Delivering Health Care,” Social Policy Developments in Greece, Ashgate Publisher, Aldersot, 2006, pp. 55-72.
Iceland, “Report by the Minister of Finance to the 137th session of the Althingi. Measures to Achieve a Balance in fiscal Finances 2009-2013 Stability, Welfare and Work,” 2011. http://eng.fjarmalaraduneyti.is.
Iceland, “The Fiscal Budget Proposal for 2011,” October 1, 2011. http://eng.fjarmalaraduneyti.is/media/Fjarlog/Budget_Proposal_2011_presentation.pdf
IMF, “IMF Country Report: Iceland. Selected Issues Paper No. 10/304, International Monetary Fund,” October 2011. http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2010/cr10304.pdf
G. Jonsson, “The Icelandic Welfare State in the Twentieth Century,” Scandinavian Journal of History, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2001, pp. 177-196. HHUdoi:org/10.1080/034687501750303873U
Stability Programme RO, “Convergence Programme 2009-2012 (Government of Romenia, March 2010),” 2011. http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/sgp/pdf/20_scps/2009-10/01_programme/ro_2010-03-23_cp_en.pdf
HM Treasury, “Budget; HM Treasury; London: June 2010,” 2011. http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2010_june_budget.htm
IFS, “The Distributional Effects of Tax and Benefit Reforms to be Introduced between June 2010 and April 2014: a Revised Assessment,” IFS Brief Notes, London, 2010.
L. Mitton, “Vermarktlichung Zwischen Thatcher und New Labour: Das Britische Wohlfahrtssystem,” Europ?i- sche Wohlfahrtssysteme: Ein Handbuch, VS Publisher, Wiesbaden, 2008, pp. 263-284.
EU Commission, “Public Finances in EMU,” European Economy, Brussel, No. 4, 2010.
IMF, “Strategies for Fiscal Consolidation in the Post- Crisis World. Prepared for the Fiscal Affairs Department, February 2, 2010,” 2011. http://www.imf.org/external/np/eng/2010/020410a.pdf.
A. Heise, “Einführung in die Wirtschaftspolitik,” Lit Publisher, Münster, 2010.
S. Dullien, “Ungleichgewichte im Euro-Raum. WISO Diskurs Expertisen und Dokumentationen zur Wirtschafts und Sozialpolitik,” Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Bonn, 2010.
A. Heise, “Grundlagen der Europ?ischen W?hrung—Sin Tegration,” Gabler Publisher, Wiesbaden, 1997.