Conclusion: Transformations of European Welfare States and Social Rights

This anthology offers analyses of transformations of European welfare states and social rights from a diverse set of perspectives and contexts. This concluding chapter argues that European welfare states rely on third sector organisations to uphold the welfare system, and that social rights of today are constituted and re-constituted through discussions on deservingness which function as filtering mechanisms for access to social rights. In addition, law’s formulation and categorisation together with political priorities and agendas inform negotiations of legitimate knowledge related to social problems and adequate salutation hereto. Also, structural and individual factors are significant for welfare professionals’ scope for practice and persons’ mobilisation of social rights.