ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the divergence in the approach to social policy as between Britain and the Scandinavian countries. On superficial examination social welfare policies in Britain and the Scandinavian countries appear to have developed in broadly similar ways since the war. In Scandinavia the aims and scope of social policy have broadened since the 1950s with growing emphasis on preventive measures and on positive social and economic development affecting society as a whole. British attitudes to social policy – collective provision, mutual and therefore reciprocal acceptance and discharge of social responsibilities – reflect the long-established and resistant class divisions. The Swedish initative had effects throughout Scandinavia which still continue to flow, influencing philosophy and methodology of social enquiry, relations between social scientists and government, and the formulation and content of social policy. The work of Johansson and the institute, which was set up by the Swedish government, has been theoretical, methodological and empirical, focusing on 'conceptualising and measuring welfare'.
