"Beginning in the last quarter of the twentieth century, the global political economy has undergone a profound transformation. Democracy has swept the globe, and both rich and developing nations must compete in an increasingly integrated world economy." "How are social welfare policies being affected by this wave of economic globalization? Leading researchers explore the complex question in this comparative study. The developing countries they analyze in Globalization and the Future of the Welfare State demonstrate that although there is great variability across countries and regions, domestic political processes and institutions play key roles in managing the disruptions wrought by globalization."--Jacket.