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Poverty in Antwerp, Belgium, is discussed from a historical perspective, noting that the worst misery began to disappear in the latter 19th century, & indigence virtually disappeared after the establishment of social care agencies after WWI. After WWII, the ongoing need for relief agencies was quickly recognized; the Openbaar Centrum voor Maatschappelijk Welzijn ([OCMW] Public Center for Social Welfare), established in 1976, is currently one of the main social relief agencies in Flanders. Here, quantitative data concerning its clients are provided, noting that, since 1994/95, relative & absolute records for the number of people in need of financial & medical aid have been broken. This crisis is related to the increasing number of single-parent families, political refugees, drug addicts, & elderly in the inner city. The need for preventive policies is addressed, asserting that only integrated development projects can improve matters for all risk groups. 6 Tables. Adapted from the source document.

A review essay on De interventiestaat ([The Intervention State], de Beus, J. W., & van Doorn, A. A. [Eds], Meppel Amsterdam: Boom, 1984 [see IRPS 30/85a39263]) & Neil Gilbert's Capitalism and the Welfare State -- Dilemmas of Social Benevolence (New Haven/London: Yale U Press, 1983 [see IRPS No. 30/85a39648]). Analysis shows that the "intervention state" is an ambiguous concept, supported by conflicting liberal, etatist, & neocorporativist models. Attention is given to the universalization & commercialization of the Dutch welfare state. Most current research illustrates clearly that it is the Mc that derives the most benefits from the Dutch welfare system. M. Meeks

The welfare state is analyzed through positive economic science & positive political theory. The axiomatic theory of consistent choice, leading to the idea of Pareto optimality, provides more rigorous analysis than the theory of the firm & of industrial organization; however, the latter theory more fully merges theory with the empirical testing of hypotheses. Theories of political phenomena can profit more from theories of the latter kind than from theories of the former kind. The central point is production of falsifiable theories of hypotheses & predictions, & the avoidance of confusions of description with prescription in dealing with political life. The debate over whether a socialist economy can coordinate decisions on the use of scarce resources, & the resulting questions over the social & economic role of the state, remain unresolved on theoretical grounds. Thus, economics cannot prescribe the proper role of the state. Attention must be given to the process & meaning of law making, the intended effects of laws & their compatibility with one another. There is thus a need for scientific & parliamentary scrutiny of their implementation in a democratic state under pressure from interest groups. There is a great need for analysis of the processes going on in the crumbling welfare state, rather than propaganda; providing this analysis is part of the vocation of academic leaders. Modified HA.

The welfare states that were created after World War II are under pressure. The contributions of Judith van der Veer and Romke van der Veen both authors outline how the Netherlands is looking for new ways out to ensure the level of care of its citizens. Thus Netherlands is under the spell of the 'activating welfare state'. In Flanders makes similar analyzes can be found in recent policy documents the 'socialization of care 'as its central theme. But while a clear choice in the Netherlands to build from the local level, activating welfare of Flanders is holding onto a centralist and compartmentalised development of care and support. This leads to compartmentalized petrifaction, wasteful and bureaucratic chilly detachment. Adapted from the source document.

'It is undeniable that people in our current network and information society empowered and more independent than before. Are combined with the need to reduce the government deficit back, this leads to the classic welfare state slowly but surely turning into a participatory society. From anyone who may be asked to take responsibility for his or her own life and environment. 'Thus King Willem-Alexander in the most discussed part of his first speech from the throne. Prime Minister Rutte characterized the transition from welfare to society participation as a movement from the bottom up by citizens wanted and facilitated by the government. For this installment of the Symposium, we asked experts on the welfare state to reflect the transition indicated by the king. Romke van der Veen puts the development in the Netherlands in a number of major trends and then shows that we are at a crossroads where we can from different sides. Judith van der Veer discusses one of those sides: the transition from welfare to activation city. In the third contribution Flemish politician Mieke Vogels describes (Green, the Flemish green party) how they all late 90s tried to enter the participative society in Belgium and how the movement initiated by her reversed by subsequent ministers. Adapted from the source document.

This paper deals with the electoral & political consequences of urban region formation. The electoral geography of new political parties differs substantially from that of traditional ones. New parties are mainly successful in different parts of urban regions. The declining traditional parties have rather a regional pattern, although some of them show new spatial patterns too. These developments are interpreted in the context of the cleavage theory, in which old & new cleavages are linked with a different spatiality. Following the Anglo-Saxon literature an increasing process of polarisation is hypothesised between the welfare state orientated city & a neo-conservative & neo-liberal suburban fringe. This article examines & proofs the existence of these processes in the urban region of Brussels by means of individual-level & ecological electoral data. Figures. Adapted from the source document.

The amalgamation of Belgian municipalities was intended to enhance the resolution of civic problems. Although it would require more dedication, deeper understanding, a readiness to listen, & preliminary research on the part of the managers, the merged communities could have better facilities because they were centralized. However, the resulting hierarchy & bureaucracy have made flexible management more difficult, & some citizens focus on the negative rather than positive aspects of the consolidation. The global impression is that the consolidation has been better for the small municipalities than the large ones, especially those of 50,000+ inhabitants, who feel that the understanding & resolution of their problems has become more complicated. This situation is viewed with particular regard for the services offered by Belgium's public centers for social welfare (OCMW). Modified HA.

Supporting people with disabilities is a cornerstone of the Dutch welfare state. It has become part of our cultural ideal that government people who can not (more) provide (WRR, 2006, p. 115). Care for themselves Especially after World War II, the government has expanded its involvement with the landmark introduction of the Exceptional Medical Expenses Act (EMEA) in 1968. The EMEA is a national insurance scheme, every resident of the Netherlands secures long-term care and assistance at home or in an institution. Were increasingly welfare-related forms of support in the care of the government in the sixties of the twentieth century, moreover, brought and created a versatile professional sector, with specializations as neighborhood and community work, and social work with elderly people (Duyvendak, 2002). Adapted from the source document.

Political parties are the building blocks of representative democracy since they traditionally perform roles that are considered essential for the functioning & well-being of democracy. In the study & evaluation of the democratic system as a whole, as a general rule, parties are treated as unitary actors. Most political parties, however, are membership organizations & their external functioning is partly dependent on internal affairs, including the behavior & opinions of their members. In this paper we open the black box of parties & show on the basis of a 2008 survey among seven political parties how united or divided ordinary Dutch party members are with respect to various political issues & orientations. It is shown that most parties are rather united on most issues. They are least united on two of the most pertinent issues of today's politics, ie., the integration of ethnic minorities & European integration. Adapted from the source document.

Policy making in the Netherlands during three post-WWII periods is examined, focusing on limits imposed by the structure of society & the intellectual climate of the time. Intellectual & political constraints in economic policy, welfare policy, physical planning, & foreign affairs are discussed. Political constraints are shifting because of changes in market assessment, planning, & coordination. An increase in consultation among government, employers organizations, & trade unions is advocated, with the government establishing macroeconomic & social guidelines. Modified HA