Western Civilization II / Unit 18 WC2 1702 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Social Democracy, the Welfare State, and the Center's Parties
Captions available
The idea
Western Europe became democratic, and social democracy, the state guaranteeing a minimum standard, was the postwar compromise. The welfare state gave health, education and pensions, paid by progressive taxes and lower arms spending. Socialists and Christian Democrats alternated and neither touched it for thirty years.
In practice
Thirty-seven percent of family income indirect, the anchor says.
Where people slip
The right accepted liberal democracy at last.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it