This is the most comprehensive statistical set available on Western European social insurance. The accompanying CD-ROM gives all documentary information giving the user the ability to manipulate the data as desired. Numeric data is provided in Excel files. All major fields of change are covered. The development of social security and social insurance is analyzed and differences highlighted country by country. Datasets on developments in European society are presented clearly and systematically. Data is presented statistically and is always clearly comparative."The European Social Security System 1885-1945" is a comparative and historical data handbook and accompanying CD-ROM presenting series data on social insurance for the countries of Western and Central Europe. The handbook and CD-ROM concentrates on the development of social security prior to the Second World War.