The assault on universalism: how to destroy the welfare state

Indicado pela AMICOR Maria Inês Reinert Azambuja

Christmas 2011: Food for Thought

BMJ 2011; 343 doi: 10.1136/bmj.d7973 (Published 20 December 2011)

Cite this as: BMJ 2011;343:d7973

Martin McKee, professor of European public health1, 

David Stuckler, university lecturer2

Martin McKee and David Stuckler watch aghast as American examples are followed to destroy the European model of the welfare state

Christmas is a time to count our blessings, reflecting how they came to be. For people living in England this reflection is more relevant than ever, as the coalition government paves the way for the demise of the welfare state. This statement will be seen by many as reckless scaremongering. The welfare state, not only in Britain but also throughout western Europe, has proved extremely resilient.1 How could any government bring about such a fundamental change?

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