The fundamental issue of political economy in the Western world has been the same for at least the past 200 years: drawing the right lines between government authority and individual initiative.

The modern welfare state has reached a historic reckoning. As a political institution, it hasn’t adapted to change. Politics and economics are at loggerheads.

The poll-trackers say Mitt Romney was doomed in any case, but some Republicans have blamed Hurricane Sandy. As parts of Queens, N.Y., and the Jersey Shore burned or were washed out to sea, Mr ...

The modern welfare state has reached a historic reckoning. As a political institution, it hasn't adapted to change. Politics and economics are at loggerheads.

As the 20th century progressed, modern welfare states found that they had reached a point where squeezing more blood out of their taxpayers depressed growth rates and reduced tax revenues.

“The Evolution of Modern States” is a significant contribution to the literatures on political economy, globalization, historical institutionalism and social-science methodology. The book begins with ...

But the welfare state today is attributed to 19th century Germany, according to Howard. “Germany is usually credited with being the first modern welfare state,” he said. “The country’s government ...

When the children’s commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza reported to government this week that large numbers of children are ...

Among various unwanted truths that grown-ups of the Western world have to contend with these days, here’s one that doesn’t get nearly the traction it deserves: The days of the modern welfare ...

The first televised presidential debate, in 1960, began with both candidates sitting before approaching their respective podiums. Nixon was memorably not telegenic: sweaty and uncomfortable. On ...

The History of the Welfare State . Although fair treatment of citizens and a state-provided standard of living for the poor dates back further than the Roman Empire, the modern welfare states that ...

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) railed against the modern welfare state in dramatic fashion during Wednesday’s Republican presidential debate. Scott was one of seven candidates to take the stage, ...