Welfare State at Risk [electronic resource] : Rising Inequality in Europe / edited by Dieter Eißel, Ewa Rokicka, Jeremy Leaman.

1 Introduction -- 2 The Concept of "Quality of Life" in the Context of Economic Performance and Social Progress -- 3 Inequality and the Role of Redistributive Policy.- 4 Economic Aspects of Fighting Inequality.- 5 Market Distribution, Fiscal Distribution and Inequality: A Case Study of Britain -- 6 The Nordic Model and Social Inequalities -- 7 Social Inequalities of Families in Europe.- 8 Transition Into Adulthood, Life Course, Inequalities and Social Change -- 9 Unsuccessful in Education - Early School Leaving -- 10 Digital Inequality in Physical and Skills Access Among European Adolescents.- 11 Legal Framework as a Factor Generating Social Inequality: The Case of Criminal Justice System.- 12  Inequality of Access to Culture.- 13 Perception of Inequality by the General Public and Political Elites.

This book investigates the causes of inequalities that have developed in the European Union, analyzes their social and economic consequences, and assesses the political measures taken to address these issues – also on the basis of public survey results. The detailed analyses presented focus on structures of inequality to be found in the areas education, culture, labor market, Internet access, families and children, gender, and the regions of the EU. The book also critically examines both the legal framework conditions and financial / taxation policy as instruments that can be used to either produce or combat inequality.