"This book addresses the critical issues of demographic aging and its implications for the Welfare State through an in-depth and well-documented analysis of the French case during the period 1880-1990. The aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics behind the making of old-age policies in France, and not limited only to reconstituting the decision-making process behind specific public measures.". "This book brings an innovative conceptual framework of analysis that can be transferred to other areas of social politics or public policies at large."--BOOK JACKET.