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Social protection constitutes a fundamental dimension of modern welfare states, encompassing the institutional arrangements through which societies mitigate social risks and redistribute resources. This course examines the historical development of social protection, from its early manifestations in mutual aid societies and charitable institutions to the consolidation of comprehensive systems during the twentieth century. Particular attention will be paid to the intellectual traditions and political economy that have shaped these trajectories, including the interplay between industrialization, demographic change, and the rise of social citizenship.

The economic foundations of social protection will be analyzed through the lenses of redistribution, risk pooling, and intergenerational solidarity. We will explore how social transfers and services contribute not only to poverty alleviation and inequality reduction, but also to macroeconomic stability and human capital formation. The course will highlight the tension between efficiency and equity, as well as the fiscal and institutional constraints that condition the sustainability of welfare systems.

Subsequent chapters will address the principal domains of social protection:

• Retirement (Pensions): institutional models, financing mechanisms, and the challenges posed by demographic ageing.

• Health: comparative approaches to universal coverage, cost containment, and quality assurance.

• Family: policies supporting fertility, childcare, and work–life balance.

• Dependency: responses to disability and long-term care needs, with emphasis on the growing demand for elder care.

The final section will situate national systems within the broader framework of the European Union. While competence in social protection remains primarily national, the EU plays a significant role in promoting coordination, establishing minimum standards, and fostering convergence. This raises critical questions regarding the harmonization of social protection across member states, the preservation of national diversity, and the prospects for a European social model.

By the end of the course, students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of social protection as a multidimensional field of policy, informed by historical evolution, economic rationale, and contemporary debates on redistribution and integration.

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