Black Swans and Elephants on the Move: How Emergencies Impact on the Welfare State

This lecture asks how unexpected emergencies – the ‘Black Swans’ of war, economic depression, terrorist incidents and environmental catastrophes – can help to enact welfare reform.

Are welfare institutions so entrenched and resistant to changes in direction as 'elephants on the move', or can we still adapt to the unpredictable major incidents of the 21st Century with significant reforms such as President Obama's healthcare plan?

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