Maastricht, Netherlands

European welfare state: current challenges and perspectives

This course deals with the social policy characteristics of the European welfare state. The recent economic crisis and developments in the EU have led to a rise in poverty and unemployment (among the youth in particular), as well as a surge in right-wing parties. This has created a challenging framework for policy-makers and individuals alike. The living conditions are deteriorating for many member states and solidarity and various social benefits are decreasing rapidly.

Throughout the course, students will learn about citizen involvement in social problems (e.g. poverty, unemployment, exclusion on various grounds) within European communities and countries. At the end of the course, students will be able to act as a social policy analyst and troubleshoot various social situations.

The course consists of three sections:

The introduction discusses the key theories of social policy, introduces students to the welfare state concept and explores their historical development in Europe and other parts of the world;
The analytical section focuses on specific social programmes (poverty alleviation, social assistance, pension systems and the classification of the welfare state). Here you will learn how to interpret scientific literature;
The operational section relates to the practical mechanism behind how the welfare state operates in the EU, requiring students to deepen their understanding of how social policy structures interact. It includes a simulation exercise to experience how policy-makers make decisions in practice.

Course leader

I. Burlacu

Target group

Students should take into account that this is a social policy course. The course is particularly suited to students with economics, political science, sociology or social work backgrounds and is open to students with law majors. However, it is important to note that most of the course readings are from the social sciences. Students who follow this course can continue their studies in social policy by enrolling in the Maastricht Summer School course, MSS0046 Social Policy.

A minimum of 9 students is required for the class to take place. The maximum is 20

Course aim

To introduce students to the main concepts in European social policy and one of the fundamental pillars in the European Union: the solidarity principle and welfare state;
To identify different practices and concepts across the world, using cases from students’ home countries and contrasting social security systems from various welfare states;
To equip students with analytical skills that enables them to easily identify the type of welfare regime and its characteristics;
To bring the student to the core of the social action – “Think like a social policy analyst, act like a social worker”.

Fee info

EUR 1000: This 3-week course costs €1000,-.