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Danish Center for Welfare Studies

The comparative and transnational history of the concept 'welfare state’

Black-and-white outdoor scene showing two older men seated, one reading a newspaper, with a blurred person walking in the background.

The comparative and transnational history of the concept ‘welfare state’

‘Welfare state’ is not only an academic concept but also a political one. As such, it has a history. Tracing the roots of the concept back to mid-19th Century Germany, the project shows how the concept has been used, contested and changed meanings over more than a Century. This ongoing study is based on a large collection of public sources focusing especially on Germany, Britain, the US, and Scandinavia.

Contact: Klaus Petersen

Last Updated 24.02.2026