This study compares activation policies for long term unemployed people from 1990 to 2007 in Australia, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Denmark. Comparative welfare researchers debate whether activation policies converged or retained distinctive welfare regime features. Some argue activation marked convergence towards the Liberal welfare regime by enforcing labour market participation and bringing market-based governance to employment services. Others argue major differences persisted as activation policies were shaped by different institutional settings such as labour markets and benefit systems. This thesis examines convergence in employment assistance. Using interviews with expert stakeholders, analysis of policy documents and statistical comparisons, it traces key influences on the character of employment assistance for long-term unemployed: whether capacity-building, incentive-strengthening, or income protection. While there was convergence towards a common activation paradigm, employment assistance ...