Ambitious conceptually, innovative methodologically, and compelling empirically, Douglas Voigt's book is a must-read for anybody interested in the normative commitments inherent to both welfare/workfare regimes and welfare/workfare scholarship. Voigt delivers a convincing critique of the social investment paradigm in scholarly and 'real world' terms, forcing us to think anew about what we mean by 'social justice' and why that matters.

Ian Bruff, Lecturer in European Politics, University of Manchester

Though 'critical' is increasingly en vogue as an ornamental prefix, there are few successful attempts to draw on the Frankfurt School in empirical political economy. Voigt's book is a brilliant exception. As such it is so much more than 'just' a normative analysis of the German labor market. It is a path-breaking methodological contribution to the general field.

Magnus Ryner, Professor of International Political Economy, King's College London

Social Justice and the German Labour Market is a significant contribution to the ongoing debate on fair and just work and how the Hartz IV reforms break with the idea of institutions reflecting our fundamentally universal being. This book is a stark reminder that it takes much more to achieve social justice in modern society than hitting 'performance targets' and simple labour market measures.

Florian Ranft, Policy Fellow, Das Progressive Zentrum, Germany

Marrying erudition with insight, Douglas Voigt positions contemporary issues of social justice within a rigorous and original theoretical framework to deliver a rare and rarely powerful synergy between empirical analysis and philosophical reflection. The lucid narrative, often sparkling with wit, makes this important book a pleasure to read.

Albena Azmanova, Professor in Political and Social Theory, University of Kent, UK