Reviews

"Esping-Andersen's Politics against Markets is an articulate, well thought out, and thoroughly researched account of the historical ascendance and, seemingly, current decomposition of social democracy in the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. His book, however, is more than a historical summary in that the author argues, through both theoretical and empirical evidence, that social democracy is still a viable alternative to bourgeois or extreme leftist parties. However, its future 'hinges on the interaction between class alliances and political reforms.' "--Janet Heitgerd, Social Science Quarterly ". . a very useful book, not only on the political economy of Scandinavia but also on the theory and practice of social democracy."--Michael Wallerstein, The American Journal of Sociology