A growing economic divide has been witnessed in many countries. There also seems to have been an increase in the social divide, and increasing numbers of people becoming discontent with the development in their country, their own standard of living and economic options. The divide is often between different geographic areas and specific sectors in various countries. Part of this reflects a classical and ongoing transformation of labour markets in all countries, and with all kinds of change, there will be winners and losers.

This time, the changes might be stronger than in previous times as a consequence of new technology, as well as of growing international migration and, in certain years, refugees fleeing civil war wanting, especially, to enter Europe. Both these issues have put pressure on welfare states and their development, in addition to the pressure caused by demographic transitions.

At the same time, this seems to have had an impact on voters’ behaviour in such a way that we have seen an increase in support for more populist parties around Europe and a president in the US with a stronger focus on the US than global development. We have witnessed a referendum in the UK as a result of which the UK will leave the European Union (EU), now known as Brexit. We have seen stronger national statements from people and parties around Europe, and we have witnessed stronger viewpoints on the positions of migrants and/or refugees.

There has been a growing discussion on welfare chauvinism, but also on austerity and the reduction of the role of the welfare state, at least in some countries. Based on this, the inspiration for this book comes from a profound interest in trying to understand why and how these trends could have and have had an impact on welfare state development. This also includes why people are in favour of, and/or against, specific changes to the welfare state. Historically, the legitimacy of at least part of the welfare state has been on the agenda for a long time, but it now seems to be increasing in importance more than ever.