Creating the Welfare State in France, 1880-1940 [Hardcover]

Timothy B. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003

In "Creating the Welfare State in France, 1880-1940", Timothy Smith argues that although post-World War II politicians have attempted to take credit for the creation of welfare state, the social reform movement in France actually grew out of World War I. Smith shows that French social spending before World War II was well above the European average and demonstrates that the present welfare state is based on a structure that already existed but was expanded and consolidated with great political fanfare during the 1940s. Smith shows that France's most important social legislation to date - providing medical insurance, maternity benefits, modest pensions, and disability benefits to millions of people - was passed in 1928 (and amended and put into practice in 1930). This law, misrepresented in textbooks as being an utter failure, covered over 50 percent of the population by 1940. Few other nations could have claimed this sort of social insurance success. As well, by 1937 the centuries-old public assistance residency requirements had been transferred from the local to the departmental (regional) level. France's success in introducing important social reforms may require us to rethink - or at least modify - the common view of interwar France as a time of utter political, economic, and social failure.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a fine book and an important contribution to research in French history and comparative European history. Smith's scholarship, research, and judgements are impressive." Patrick Harrigan, Department of History, University of Waterloo

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Mcgill Queens Univ Pr (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0773524096
• ISBN-13: 978-0773524095
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,228,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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