Rethinking the Welfare State: The prospects for ... - e-Library

as the desirability of, radical government abandonment of time-honoured public goals
and responsibilities. Yet, this skepticism does not imply reflexive commitment to the
existing modalities of the social welfare state. Indeed, quite the contrary. As the title of
this book suggests, we do believe that there is value in considering the broad implications
of the applicability of the voucher instrument in vindicating public goals and
responsibilities in a number of different policy areas.
In mounting this thought experiment, we have, over the years, benefited enormously
from conversations around the prospects of the welfare state with a wide array of
colleagues and friends at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. One could not
imagine a more stimulating or supportive intellectual environment in which to consider
these issues. We also have been enriched by the conversation (sometimes quite animated)
that we have had with students at the Faculty of Law who have, over the years, enrolled
in our upper year seminar course devoted to the changing role of the modern welfare
state.
This project has greatly benefited from the superb research assistance offered by the
following students (some of whom are themselves now legal academics): Malcolm
Thorburn, Benjamin Alarie, Thomas Ringer, Graham Mayeda, Kathleen Grandy,
Mandeep Dhaliwal, Jeffrey Torkin, Adam Samarillo and Leah Theriault. Not only did
these students provide invaluable assistance in developing the various policy case studies
that are included in this book, but their contributions also allowed us to refine and enrich
the theoretical framework that shapes this inquiry. We are in their debt. We are also much
indebted to Nadia Gulezko for the administrative and secretarial responsibilities she
assumed in relation to this study and to the editors at Routledge for their professional
attention to all details of the publication process.
Ronald J.Daniels
Michael J.Trebilcock