Introduction

John McConnico for the New York Times

The Times recently described the Danish welfare state as “ample to a fault,” with generous benefits seducing able-bodied young people into living off the state instead of contributing to it. But a Times blog post responded that “Danes are neither lazy nor poor,” citing evidence by the World Bank and the World Competitive Report.

Is there a magic compromise to be made between reforming the European welfare state and saving it? If so, what would that look like, and how could it inspire innovations in other countries?