Abstract: This study compares two paths of analyzing social policy. On the one hand, researchers may look to explain the historical development of East Asian welfare systems (EAWS) with an eye towards delineating some common trends. On the other hand, they may seek to recognize the institutional features of these systems through the crossregime comparisons. After discussing the possible problems in the operation of these two approaches, the study advocates employing contextual analysis to illuminate developments in social policy in EAWS. It proposes to understand the policy model of these systems from the evolutionary perspective so as to provide a new approach to the study of EAWS.

Key words: social policy, East Asia, welfare regime, social system, development