The social state has been a prominent feature of the historical trajectory of Northwestern European societies during the 20th century. It is intertwined with the socio-political "European identity" and encapsulates its value framework, with a primary emphasis on the principles of democracy, equality, social solidarity, social justice, and redistribution.

In recent decades, significant changes at the global/supranational and national levels (globalization, conditions of social dumping from "emerging economies," job insecurity, widening inequalities, fiscal constraints within the framework of the EMU) have called these principles into question. Furthermore, the current, and non-ongoing, European crisis dramatically intensifies the pressures on the social state, making the risk of extensive weakening visible.

The reissue of the book by the distinguished sociologist Costa Esping-Andersen “The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism” (with the addition of an introductory chapter on the critical juncture that the social state is experiencing, by Maria Petmezidou, editor of the Greek edition) constitutes a timely contribution to the academic (and public) dialogue on social reform.

The "Three Worlds" thoroughly explore the historical conditions of emergence and development of different types of welfare states in the European context. They provide broad and solid documentation for their historical origins, evolution, and transformation, with particular emphasis on convergences and divergences regarding their organizational principles and value nuances.

The book sparked a highly fruitful critical dialogue in the field of comparative analysis of social policy. It becomes particularly relevant, as the penetrating historical interpretation it provides is crucial in helping to "read" the challenges, prospects, and upheavals that today’s context entails.