The Winding Road to the Welfare State

Welcome to Lit in a Nutshell, where we break down powerful books that shaped our world. Today, we dive into The Winding Road to the Welfare State by George R. Boyer—a gripping exploration of how Britain’s welfare state didn’t emerge from a grand master plan, but from decades of hard-fought battles against poverty, unemployment, and social insecurity.

From the Poor Laws to pensions, and from trade union struggles to the rise of universal benefits, Boyer takes us through the twists, turns, and contradictions that shaped one of the most influential social systems in modern history.

If you've ever wondered how economic fear shaped public policy—or why welfare systems look the way they do today—this episode is for you.

Let’s unravel the history behind the safety net.

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