Esping-Andersen

Esping-Andersen is a sociologist who developed a way to categorize different countries' social welfare systems. He identified three main types: conservative, social democratic, and liberal. Conservative systems, often found in Europe, support traditional family roles and social hierarchy. Social democratic ones, such as in Scandinavia, emphasize universal benefits and equality. Liberal systems, like in the U.S., focus on individual responsibility and limited government support. His framework helps explain how governments manage social issues like healthcare, education, and income support, shaping the well-being of their citizens and reflecting cultural values around social responsibility.