The book explores the recent development and current state of three European welfare states: Germany, Poland, Italy and Denmark. The main purpose is to investigate the outcome of welfare states in the era of globalisation when societies have experienced structural changes to labour markets as well as attitudes and relations. While the principal aim of the welfare states is to insure against social risks, the book explores the contributions of European welfare states to labour market policies, where social stability has been severely challenged. In addition, the volume explores two issues that have proved challenging for European societies: gender equality and birth rates in the context of wide-ranging social and economic change. The analysis of the four EU member states finds that the influence of the European Union on social policies at the national level has been limited but is gradually increasing.

Suburbs represent an essential subject for regional studies and have a rapidly increasing economic significance within wider metropolitan regions (Phelps 2010). It is necessary to create inclusive suburbs with a stronger identity. The current growth of populations in major cities requires an ability to reorganize existing cities and a massive restructuring of urban infrastructure (Modarres and Kirby 2010). The interpretation of the needs of suburbs have previously called for a transdisciplinary and collaborative strategy (Després et al. 2004). We look at entrepreneurship and different types of 21 businesses as a source of vitalization of suburbs. These ventures are studied in the context of the diversity of the population of suburb. Entrepreneurial investments, the establishment of high impact enterprises as well as networking among local and migrant businesses represent elements that can vitalize previously marginalized suburbs. Enterprises that are clustered in suburban neighborhoods reflect the different impacts of suburban and city spatial forms. Newly arrived citizens draw upon the critical mass of ethnic members to form a niche market for ethnic business (Fong et al. 2007). Minorities may have limited access to financial capital in the larger urban economy, but ethnic enclaves may provide a source of a unique competitive advantage (Cummings 1999). Entrepreneurship rooted in a suburban surrounding represent a specific opportunity to become embedded in an economic and spatial dimension. The migrant may be seen as representing a diversity capital which penetrate specific market conditions located in ethnically diverse neighborhoods situated in the suburbs of major cities. The spatial and entrepreneurial dimension of ethnic business can thereby be given a relevant context for interpretation.

The Iranian community in Sweden has undergone major changes in different aspects of social life. One of the most important changes has been the gradual de-radicalization in political view that the group has experienced. While at the beginning of the period a majority of Iranian immigrants identified with revolutionary positions, time spent in Sweden has meant led to a gradual change in political values ​​and a move towards a more liberal and reformist approach. Integration into Swedish society and familiarization with Swedish social and political culture which is based on consensus and compromise seem to explain the changing political perceptions, views and attitudes. Moreover, the openness of the political system in the new country, the ease with which immigrants attain citizenship and having the right to vote made it easy for the Iranian community to be involved in the political process. As a result, the political commitment to the Swedish establishment has increased markedly. Furthermore, over the years, Iranians in Sweden have begun to support not only leftist, but also more right wing political parties. 

I samband med regeringssatsningen Ett kontrakt för livet fick SiS även i uppdrag att erbjuda vård i annan form jml §27 LVM till de klienter som kommunerna hade svårt att placera. Under 2005–2006 startade därför fyra behandlingshem i SiS regi för att kunna erbjuda § 27-vård; Thulegården, Brunnslöv, Villan och 27:an. Drygt 200 klienter har fått vård i annan form i SiS § 27-hem 2005–2008. En genomgång av de placerade klienternas bakgrund visar att de som vårdades i dessa enheter i vissa hänseenden mådde sämre psykiskt jämfört med andra LVM-klienter och att de hade större erfarenhet av missbruksvård sedan tidigare. Den låga efterfrågan på vårdplatser kan ha bidragit till att andra klientgrupper än den tänkta också fick möjligheter att placeras i dessa hem.