Ke-young Chu, Hamid Davoodi, and Sanjeev Gupta
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- August 2004
- ISBN:
- 9780199271412
- eISBN:
- 9780191601255
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199271410.003.0010
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Provides an overview of the changes in income distribution in developing and transition countries in recent decades, and assesses the incidence of taxes and government expenditure in these countries. ...
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Provides an overview of the changes in income distribution in developing and transition countries in recent decades, and assesses the incidence of taxes and government expenditure in these countries. For the overview of income distribution, the chapter relies largely on a set of newly available ‘high‐quality’ income‐distribution data. For the assessment of tax and government expenditure incidence, it relies on existing incidence studies on individual countries. The chapter has five sections: Introduction; The Role of Taxes and Social Spending; Selective Literature Survey—a survey of the studies on the incidence of taxes and expenditure, paying particular attention to the incidence of government spending on education and health, and reviewing the available evidence for a large number of developing countries; Role of Taxes and Government Social Spending Policy—this section offers an overview of the changes in income distribution in developing countries from the 1970s to the 1990s, with separate discussion of the nature of tax reforms and social expenditure policy and their distributional implications in selected countries (Hungary, Indonesia, and Thailand); and Summary and Conclusions.Less
Provides an overview of the changes in income distribution in developing and transition countries in recent decades, and assesses the incidence of taxes and government expenditure in these countries. For the overview of income distribution, the chapter relies largely on a set of newly available ‘high‐quality’ income‐distribution data. For the assessment of tax and government expenditure incidence, it relies on existing incidence studies on individual countries. The chapter has five sections: Introduction; The Role of Taxes and Social Spending; Selective Literature Survey—a survey of the studies on the incidence of taxes and expenditure, paying particular attention to the incidence of government spending on education and health, and reviewing the available evidence for a large number of developing countries; Role of Taxes and Government Social Spending Policy—this section offers an overview of the changes in income distribution in developing countries from the 1970s to the 1990s, with separate discussion of the nature of tax reforms and social expenditure policy and their distributional implications in selected countries (Hungary, Indonesia, and Thailand); and Summary and Conclusions.
Wong Hung
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9789888139477
- eISBN:
- 9789882208681
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Hong Kong University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5790/hongkong/9789888139477.003.0013
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Asian Studies
This chapter identifies a central problem in Hong Kong’s social policy—its economic pragmatism. This limitation, together with the colonial mentality of policymakers, shaped the social policy in the ...
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This chapter identifies a central problem in Hong Kong’s social policy—its economic pragmatism. This limitation, together with the colonial mentality of policymakers, shaped the social policy in the post-handover Hong Kong, making it no more than “old wine in new bottles”. The practical and piecemeal responses produced are inadequate for addressing fundamental needs and problems, leading to sharp deterioration in the social conditions in Hong Kong, which include the deepening of poverty, a widening wealth gap, the rise of class conflicts and anti-rich sentiment. It has been argued that the HKSAR government seems to gradually lose its will to govern and tends to wait for the CPG to take the leadership. However, the ideal way out should be a more comprehensive, long-term, and people-oriented planning for social policy with greater participation of civil society.Less
This chapter identifies a central problem in Hong Kong’s social policy—its economic pragmatism. This limitation, together with the colonial mentality of policymakers, shaped the social policy in the post-handover Hong Kong, making it no more than “old wine in new bottles”. The practical and piecemeal responses produced are inadequate for addressing fundamental needs and problems, leading to sharp deterioration in the social conditions in Hong Kong, which include the deepening of poverty, a widening wealth gap, the rise of class conflicts and anti-rich sentiment. It has been argued that the HKSAR government seems to gradually lose its will to govern and tends to wait for the CPG to take the leadership. However, the ideal way out should be a more comprehensive, long-term, and people-oriented planning for social policy with greater participation of civil society.
Menno Fenger, Martijn van der Steen, and Lieske van der Torre
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781447305767
- eISBN:
- 9781447311577
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447305767.001.0001
- Subject:
- Sociology, Social Movements and Social Change
This book offers theoretical and practical insights in the responsiveness of social policies. It includes a comparative analysis of recent developments in social assistance, sheltered work and labour ...
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This book offers theoretical and practical insights in the responsiveness of social policies. It includes a comparative analysis of recent developments in social assistance, sheltered work and labour market policies in the Netherlands and relates this to developments in other European countries. It shows how policy-makers and politicians deal with multiple challenges, interests and perspectives on social policies. It not only makes readers aware of societal transformations that are in need of responses, but also offers lessons to analyse and respond to these transformations. These lessons are placed in an international and European perspective. Modern welfare states are confronted with a wide variety of social and economic developments, including individualization, secularization, globalization and changing preferences and ideologies of citizens. This book closely analyses the consequences of these changes for social policies. It shows how policy-makers continuously are trying to incorporate social transformations into the existing welfare state institutions, while they are obstructed by the path-dependent development of welfare state institutions and their persistence. The book identifies three different ‘logics’ that might trigger change in social policies: (1) the institutional logic of the policy regime, (2) the logic of the (socio-economical and cultural) policy context and (3) the logic of public preferences. Sometimes these logics converge, but more often they diverge, placing policy-makers for the almost impossible task to adapt social policies to the conflicting demands of its context.Less
This book offers theoretical and practical insights in the responsiveness of social policies. It includes a comparative analysis of recent developments in social assistance, sheltered work and labour market policies in the Netherlands and relates this to developments in other European countries. It shows how policy-makers and politicians deal with multiple challenges, interests and perspectives on social policies. It not only makes readers aware of societal transformations that are in need of responses, but also offers lessons to analyse and respond to these transformations. These lessons are placed in an international and European perspective. Modern welfare states are confronted with a wide variety of social and economic developments, including individualization, secularization, globalization and changing preferences and ideologies of citizens. This book closely analyses the consequences of these changes for social policies. It shows how policy-makers continuously are trying to incorporate social transformations into the existing welfare state institutions, while they are obstructed by the path-dependent development of welfare state institutions and their persistence. The book identifies three different ‘logics’ that might trigger change in social policies: (1) the institutional logic of the policy regime, (2) the logic of the (socio-economical and cultural) policy context and (3) the logic of public preferences. Sometimes these logics converge, but more often they diverge, placing policy-makers for the almost impossible task to adapt social policies to the conflicting demands of its context.
Douglas Besharov and Karen Baehler (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- January 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780199990313
- eISBN:
- 9780199346363
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199990313.001.0001
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
The story of China’s spectacular economic growth is well known. Less well known is the country’s equally dramatic, though not always equally successful, social policy transition. Between the ...
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The story of China’s spectacular economic growth is well known. Less well known is the country’s equally dramatic, though not always equally successful, social policy transition. Between the mid-1990s and mid-2000s---the focal period for this book---China’s central government went a long way toward consolidating the social policy framework that had gradually emerged in piecemeal fashion during the initial phases of economic liberalization. Major policy decisions during the focal period included adopting a single national pension plan for urban areas, standardizing unemployment insurance, (re)establishing nationwide rural health care coverage, opening urban education systems to children of rural migrants, introducing trilingual education policies in ethnic minority regions, expanding college enrolment, addressing the challenge of HIV/AIDS more comprehensively, and equalizing social welfare spending across provinces, among others. Unresolved is the direction of policy in the face of longer-term industrial and demographic trends---and the possibility of a chronically weak global economy. Chinese Social Policy in a Time of Transition offers scholars, practitioners, students, and policymakers a foundation from which to explore those issues based on a composite snapshot of Chinese social policy at its point of greatest maturation prior to the 2007 global crisis.Less
The story of China’s spectacular economic growth is well known. Less well known is the country’s equally dramatic, though not always equally successful, social policy transition. Between the mid-1990s and mid-2000s---the focal period for this book---China’s central government went a long way toward consolidating the social policy framework that had gradually emerged in piecemeal fashion during the initial phases of economic liberalization. Major policy decisions during the focal period included adopting a single national pension plan for urban areas, standardizing unemployment insurance, (re)establishing nationwide rural health care coverage, opening urban education systems to children of rural migrants, introducing trilingual education policies in ethnic minority regions, expanding college enrolment, addressing the challenge of HIV/AIDS more comprehensively, and equalizing social welfare spending across provinces, among others. Unresolved is the direction of policy in the face of longer-term industrial and demographic trends---and the possibility of a chronically weak global economy. Chinese Social Policy in a Time of Transition offers scholars, practitioners, students, and policymakers a foundation from which to explore those issues based on a composite snapshot of Chinese social policy at its point of greatest maturation prior to the 2007 global crisis.
Paul Smyth and Christopher Deeming
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781447332497
- eISBN:
- 9781447332534
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447332497.003.0015
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
What have learned? Are we talking about a coherent shift in social policy perspective? What have we learned about the challenges ahead for strengthening welfare systems, and for economic and ...
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What have learned? Are we talking about a coherent shift in social policy perspective? What have we learned about the challenges ahead for strengthening welfare systems, and for economic and sustainable growth for all. In this final chapter we will critically consider the perspectives, and ask whether they are simply saying the same thing with different accents (e.g. different disciplinary and country foci) and whether or the extent to which they have different/unique features. Summary tables will be included to summarise approaches and lessons learned.Less
What have learned? Are we talking about a coherent shift in social policy perspective? What have we learned about the challenges ahead for strengthening welfare systems, and for economic and sustainable growth for all. In this final chapter we will critically consider the perspectives, and ask whether they are simply saying the same thing with different accents (e.g. different disciplinary and country foci) and whether or the extent to which they have different/unique features. Summary tables will be included to summarise approaches and lessons learned.
Paul Copeland
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780719088254
- eISBN:
- 9781781707470
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719088254.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Conflict Politics and Policy
At the heart of the European integration process is the political economy debate over whether the EU should be a market-making project, or if it should combine this with integration in employment and ...
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At the heart of the European integration process is the political economy debate over whether the EU should be a market-making project, or if it should combine this with integration in employment and social policy. What has been the impact of the 2004 and 2007 rounds of enlargement upon the political economy of European integration? EU enlargement, the clash of capitalisms and the European social dimension analyses the impact of the 2004 and 2007 enlargements upon the politics of European integration within EU employment and social policy. This book analyses the main policy negotiations in the field and analyses the political positions and contributions of the Central and Eastern European Member States. Through an analyses of the negotiations of the Services Directive, the revision of the Working Time Directive and the Europe 2020 poverty target, the book argues that the addition of the Central and Eastern European states has strengthened liberal forces at the EU level and undermined integration with EU employment and social policy.Less
At the heart of the European integration process is the political economy debate over whether the EU should be a market-making project, or if it should combine this with integration in employment and social policy. What has been the impact of the 2004 and 2007 rounds of enlargement upon the political economy of European integration? EU enlargement, the clash of capitalisms and the European social dimension analyses the impact of the 2004 and 2007 enlargements upon the politics of European integration within EU employment and social policy. This book analyses the main policy negotiations in the field and analyses the political positions and contributions of the Central and Eastern European Member States. Through an analyses of the negotiations of the Services Directive, the revision of the Working Time Directive and the Europe 2020 poverty target, the book argues that the addition of the Central and Eastern European states has strengthened liberal forces at the EU level and undermined integration with EU employment and social policy.
Christopher Deeming and Paul Smyth (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781447332497
- eISBN:
- 9781447332534
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447332497.001.0001
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
This book is concerned with ‘Social Investment’, in terms of a supply-side strategy complementing the demand-side emphasis of ‘Inclusive Growth’. Our aim is to show the logic of integrating and ...
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This book is concerned with ‘Social Investment’, in terms of a supply-side strategy complementing the demand-side emphasis of ‘Inclusive Growth’. Our aim is to show the logic of integrating and unifying these new strategies – and some of the challenges ahead - as we move decisively towards forging a new consensus in global policymaking for the twenty-first century based on this new policy perspective: Social Investment for Inclusive Growth.Less
This book is concerned with ‘Social Investment’, in terms of a supply-side strategy complementing the demand-side emphasis of ‘Inclusive Growth’. Our aim is to show the logic of integrating and unifying these new strategies – and some of the challenges ahead - as we move decisively towards forging a new consensus in global policymaking for the twenty-first century based on this new policy perspective: Social Investment for Inclusive Growth.
John Offer
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781447323556
- eISBN:
- 9781447323570
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447323556.003.0001
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
This book examines Robert Pinker's selected works on social policy and welfare pluralism, past and present. Pinker began writing on social policy in the 1960s, undertaking research work on issues ...
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This book examines Robert Pinker's selected works on social policy and welfare pluralism, past and present. Pinker began writing on social policy in the 1960s, undertaking research work on issues such as the development of health care within the poor law. He published books devoted to social policy, including Social Theory and Social Policy (1971) and The Idea of Welfare (1979), along with various articles on complementary topics. Pinker's main concern was to rethink the study of social policy, arguing that ‘theory’ should not be confused with ideology or rhetoric. His ideas were primarily built around such themes as stigma, conditional altruism, access to land and property, giving and receiving, and migration and civil war. In Social Theory and Social Policy, Pinker highlighted the distinction in social life between ‘givers’ and ‘receivers’. He also made explicit the areas of study under the heading of ‘sociology of morals’.Less
This book examines Robert Pinker's selected works on social policy and welfare pluralism, past and present. Pinker began writing on social policy in the 1960s, undertaking research work on issues such as the development of health care within the poor law. He published books devoted to social policy, including Social Theory and Social Policy (1971) and The Idea of Welfare (1979), along with various articles on complementary topics. Pinker's main concern was to rethink the study of social policy, arguing that ‘theory’ should not be confused with ideology or rhetoric. His ideas were primarily built around such themes as stigma, conditional altruism, access to land and property, giving and receiving, and migration and civil war. In Social Theory and Social Policy, Pinker highlighted the distinction in social life between ‘givers’ and ‘receivers’. He also made explicit the areas of study under the heading of ‘sociology of morals’.
Tony Maltby, Patricia Kennett, and Kirstein Rummery (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9781847420763
- eISBN:
- 9781447303473
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781847420763.001.0001
- Subject:
- Sociology, Social Research and Statistics
This book provides anyone interested in welfare issues with critical analyses of progress and change in areas of major interest during the past year. Contributions reflect key themes in the UK and ...
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This book provides anyone interested in welfare issues with critical analyses of progress and change in areas of major interest during the past year. Contributions reflect key themes in the UK and internationally. The first part of the collection focuses on developments and change in core UK social policy areas. Part two provides in-depth analyses of topical issues from both UK and international perspectives, while this year's themed section examines ‘Gender and policy’.Less
This book provides anyone interested in welfare issues with critical analyses of progress and change in areas of major interest during the past year. Contributions reflect key themes in the UK and internationally. The first part of the collection focuses on developments and change in core UK social policy areas. Part two provides in-depth analyses of topical issues from both UK and international perspectives, while this year's themed section examines ‘Gender and policy’.
Majella Kilkey and Gaby Ramia (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9781447304470
- eISBN:
- 9781447307662
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447304470.001.0001
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
This edition of Social Policy Review marks the 40th anniversary of a publication from the UK Social Policy Association devoted to presenting an up-to-date and diverse review of the best in social ...
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This edition of Social Policy Review marks the 40th anniversary of a publication from the UK Social Policy Association devoted to presenting an up-to-date and diverse review of the best in social policy scholarship. It includes a special Anniversary Preface celebrating the publication's evolution and distinctive contributions. Continuing its reputation as a cutting edge, international publication in social policy, Part One of this edition analyses current developments under the UK's Coalition Government across a range of key policy areas. Part Two includes an examination of social policy in ‘developing’ countries, including in Africa and the Arab nations. Part Three considers the fate of social welfare in countries among the worst hit by the ‘economic crisis’, including: Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Iceland. Social Policy Review is essential reading for social policy academics and students and for anyone who is interested in the implications of government policy.Less
This edition of Social Policy Review marks the 40th anniversary of a publication from the UK Social Policy Association devoted to presenting an up-to-date and diverse review of the best in social policy scholarship. It includes a special Anniversary Preface celebrating the publication's evolution and distinctive contributions. Continuing its reputation as a cutting edge, international publication in social policy, Part One of this edition analyses current developments under the UK's Coalition Government across a range of key policy areas. Part Two includes an examination of social policy in ‘developing’ countries, including in Africa and the Arab nations. Part Three considers the fate of social welfare in countries among the worst hit by the ‘economic crisis’, including: Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Iceland. Social Policy Review is essential reading for social policy academics and students and for anyone who is interested in the implications of government policy.
Gaby Ramia, Kevin Farnsworth, and Zoe Irving (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- January 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781447312741
- eISBN:
- 9781447312857
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447312741.001.0001
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
The field of social policy has a rich history but policies on the ground are undergoing intensive change. Governments around the world are responding to political, economic and financial pressures, ...
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The field of social policy has a rich history but policies on the ground are undergoing intensive change. Governments around the world are responding to political, economic and financial pressures, many of them linked to the global economic crisis. National agendas typically have social policy at or close to the centre. This latest edition of Social Policy Review presents an up-to-date and diverse review of the best in social policy scholarship. It brings together research by an exciting range of internationally renowned authors and examines important decades in British and international social policy. This edition includes a special focus in the third part on work, employment and insecurity. Social Policy Review is essential reading for social policy academics and for anyone who is interested in the implications of government policy.Less
The field of social policy has a rich history but policies on the ground are undergoing intensive change. Governments around the world are responding to political, economic and financial pressures, many of them linked to the global economic crisis. National agendas typically have social policy at or close to the centre. This latest edition of Social Policy Review presents an up-to-date and diverse review of the best in social policy scholarship. It brings together research by an exciting range of internationally renowned authors and examines important decades in British and international social policy. This edition includes a special focus in the third part on work, employment and insecurity. Social Policy Review is essential reading for social policy academics and for anyone who is interested in the implications of government policy.
Keiran Walsh, Gemma M. Carney, and Áine Ní Léime (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- September 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781447316237
- eISBN:
- 9781447316244
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447316237.001.0001
- Subject:
- Sociology, Gerontology and Ageing
Demographic ageing is identified as a global challenge with significant social policy implications across local, national and international contexts. The 2008 economic crisis and related austerity ...
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Demographic ageing is identified as a global challenge with significant social policy implications across local, national and international contexts. The 2008 economic crisis and related austerity policies further compound and complicate this challenge. Social policy pressures characterising ageing societies increasingly need to be understood within the context of the economic recession and the evolving circumstances of austerity. Yet, the extent to which the global economic crisis intensifies problems experienced in later life has been largely neglected as a research and policy topic. This book addresses this deficit by using Ireland as a site for unpacking social policy issues in ageing through austerity. The book interrogates whether or not the economic recession and austerity has in fact altered ageing experiences for older people in Ireland. A selection of internationally recognised policy issues for ageing societies are explored; demography; citizenship; participation and volunteering; work, gender and pensions; age-friendly communities and place; dementia care; and social exclusion. The book presents a critical analysis to contextualise and elaborate on international debates around these issues within the Irish austerity setting, and to identify future directions for research and policy that are relevant beyond Ireland. A central goal of contributors is to demonstrate linkages between the global, national and local levels that shape the experiences of ageing in a time of austerity. The emphasis, however, is as much on the capacity of the local to shape and manipulate global influence and forces, as it is about the power of globalisation over national and community contexts.Less
Demographic ageing is identified as a global challenge with significant social policy implications across local, national and international contexts. The 2008 economic crisis and related austerity policies further compound and complicate this challenge. Social policy pressures characterising ageing societies increasingly need to be understood within the context of the economic recession and the evolving circumstances of austerity. Yet, the extent to which the global economic crisis intensifies problems experienced in later life has been largely neglected as a research and policy topic. This book addresses this deficit by using Ireland as a site for unpacking social policy issues in ageing through austerity. The book interrogates whether or not the economic recession and austerity has in fact altered ageing experiences for older people in Ireland. A selection of internationally recognised policy issues for ageing societies are explored; demography; citizenship; participation and volunteering; work, gender and pensions; age-friendly communities and place; dementia care; and social exclusion. The book presents a critical analysis to contextualise and elaborate on international debates around these issues within the Irish austerity setting, and to identify future directions for research and policy that are relevant beyond Ireland. A central goal of contributors is to demonstrate linkages between the global, national and local levels that shape the experiences of ageing in a time of austerity. The emphasis, however, is as much on the capacity of the local to shape and manipulate global influence and forces, as it is about the power of globalisation over national and community contexts.
Charles Husband (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- September 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781447314899
- eISBN:
- 9781447314929
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447314899.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
This book provides a critical discussion of the fault lines in the contemporary relationship between university based researchers, research funders, and the policy sector in the production and ...
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This book provides a critical discussion of the fault lines in the contemporary relationship between university based researchers, research funders, and the policy sector in the production and utilisation of research to inform policy and practice in ethnic relations. Drawing upon an international range of expert contributions from academics, those working in NGOs and the public sector the detailed case studies, and theoretical analysis, provide challenges to both academics and policy makers to think differently about how to develop better policy agendas in this complex field. The book explores the dynamics of the use and abuse of minority ethnic researchers in the urgent political pursuit of answers to urgent questions about current ethnic relations in diverse societies. The challenges faced by research funders and NGOs seeking to initiate, fund and exploit policy relevant research are explored through the experience of a national and an international case study; and though an examination of state intervention in the research and policy environment informing ethnic relations policy. The book critically explores the impact of the commodification of knowledge on contemporary ethnic relations research and policy.Less
This book provides a critical discussion of the fault lines in the contemporary relationship between university based researchers, research funders, and the policy sector in the production and utilisation of research to inform policy and practice in ethnic relations. Drawing upon an international range of expert contributions from academics, those working in NGOs and the public sector the detailed case studies, and theoretical analysis, provide challenges to both academics and policy makers to think differently about how to develop better policy agendas in this complex field. The book explores the dynamics of the use and abuse of minority ethnic researchers in the urgent political pursuit of answers to urgent questions about current ethnic relations in diverse societies. The challenges faced by research funders and NGOs seeking to initiate, fund and exploit policy relevant research are explored through the experience of a national and an international case study; and though an examination of state intervention in the research and policy environment informing ethnic relations policy. The book critically explores the impact of the commodification of knowledge on contemporary ethnic relations research and policy.
Jon Kvist
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781447332497
- eISBN:
- 9781447332534
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447332497.003.0010
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
Globally, policymakers are promoted social investments as a reform strategy to increase individuals’ capacities and national economic growth. This chapter establishes a framework consisting of ...
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Globally, policymakers are promoted social investments as a reform strategy to increase individuals’ capacities and national economic growth. This chapter establishes a framework consisting of generational, life-course perspectives on social investments and inclusive growth. The generational perspective brings out that social investments involve horizontal redistribution, underpin the productive and reproductive social contract between generations, and the increased diversity within generations. The life-course perspective demonstrates how social issues and social investments in one life stage depend on the situation in prior life stages and affect the situation in later life stages and, possibly, in multiple dimensions.Less
Globally, policymakers are promoted social investments as a reform strategy to increase individuals’ capacities and national economic growth. This chapter establishes a framework consisting of generational, life-course perspectives on social investments and inclusive growth. The generational perspective brings out that social investments involve horizontal redistribution, underpin the productive and reproductive social contract between generations, and the increased diversity within generations. The life-course perspective demonstrates how social issues and social investments in one life stage depend on the situation in prior life stages and affect the situation in later life stages and, possibly, in multiple dimensions.
Gaspar Fajth, Sharmila Kurukulasuriya, and Sólrún Engilbertsdóttir
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9781847424822
- eISBN:
- 9781447307235
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781847424822.003.0021
- Subject:
- Sociology, Social Stratification, Inequality, and Mobility
There are critical times in a child's life where failure to intervene can have irreversible impacts on their capabilities and quality of life. Although protecting the rights of all children and ...
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There are critical times in a child's life where failure to intervene can have irreversible impacts on their capabilities and quality of life. Although protecting the rights of all children and reducing inequities in human development are acknowledged needs, strong evidence on how to do so is sparse. It is against this backdrop that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) initiated, in 2007, the Global Study on Child Poverty and Disparities. This Study now spans 50+ countries in Africa, Asia, CEE/CIS, Latin America and the Middle East. This chapter describes the progress made by this coordinated international effort to highlight the nature and extent of multidimensional child poverty, and explores concrete strategies on how national policies can address poverty and disparities. The analysis looks at why UNICEF launched this effort; what concerns, considerations and principles have shaped it; and analyses the challenges of operationalizing child poverty concepts, measures and responses across five continents. Finally, it examines what lessons this global effort can offer to the international development community and provides recommendations on the way forward.Less
There are critical times in a child's life where failure to intervene can have irreversible impacts on their capabilities and quality of life. Although protecting the rights of all children and reducing inequities in human development are acknowledged needs, strong evidence on how to do so is sparse. It is against this backdrop that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) initiated, in 2007, the Global Study on Child Poverty and Disparities. This Study now spans 50+ countries in Africa, Asia, CEE/CIS, Latin America and the Middle East. This chapter describes the progress made by this coordinated international effort to highlight the nature and extent of multidimensional child poverty, and explores concrete strategies on how national policies can address poverty and disparities. The analysis looks at why UNICEF launched this effort; what concerns, considerations and principles have shaped it; and analyses the challenges of operationalizing child poverty concepts, measures and responses across five continents. Finally, it examines what lessons this global effort can offer to the international development community and provides recommendations on the way forward.
Harvey Kantor and Robert Lowe
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- September 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199982981
- eISBN:
- 9780199346219
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199982981.003.0003
- Subject:
- Sociology, Education
Harvey Kantor and Robert Lowe describe how the nation’s approaches to poverty, race, and education have changed over the past half century, with relatively weak compensatory education policies asked ...
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Harvey Kantor and Robert Lowe describe how the nation’s approaches to poverty, race, and education have changed over the past half century, with relatively weak compensatory education policies asked to shoulder the burden created by economic and racial inequalities—problems that our society and our policy makers have overwhelmingly failed to address adequately. These authors help us to understand how over the twentieth century, social policies meant to alleviate poverty have mutated into programs that pose formal education as a panacea. This faith in the power of education historically has justified greater access to schooling for low-income children as well as the investment of additional resources in the schools that serve them. But the idea that inequality and poverty are susceptible to educational correction also has reduced pressure on the state for other social policies that might more directly ameliorate economic distress.Less
Harvey Kantor and Robert Lowe describe how the nation’s approaches to poverty, race, and education have changed over the past half century, with relatively weak compensatory education policies asked to shoulder the burden created by economic and racial inequalities—problems that our society and our policy makers have overwhelmingly failed to address adequately. These authors help us to understand how over the twentieth century, social policies meant to alleviate poverty have mutated into programs that pose formal education as a panacea. This faith in the power of education historically has justified greater access to schooling for low-income children as well as the investment of additional resources in the schools that serve them. But the idea that inequality and poverty are susceptible to educational correction also has reduced pressure on the state for other social policies that might more directly ameliorate economic distress.
Marian Urbina Ferretjans and Rebecca Surender
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9781447304470
- eISBN:
- 9781447307662
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447304470.003.0010
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
Sino-African cooperation embraces not only trade and foreign direct investment, but a ‘social dimension’ also, including expenditure on health and education. However, the ‘Chinese approach of social ...
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Sino-African cooperation embraces not only trade and foreign direct investment, but a ‘social dimension’ also, including expenditure on health and education. However, the ‘Chinese approach of social welfare appears to be mediated under a different set of normative premises, institutional actors, and policy mechanisms from traditional development partners. Based on in-depth elite interviews, and a systematic content analysis of key policy documents, this research examines both the nature and implications of the emerging Chinese “social policy model” in Africa. Located within global social policy discourses and focusing on the role of policy actors, the analysis investigates how welfare and social policy is conceptualized in China-Africa development aid cooperation. The study explores the implications for our understanding of traditional debates concerning the drivers of social policy development, as well as the extent to which these ideas represent a new policy paradigm or merely repeat earlier debates.Less
Sino-African cooperation embraces not only trade and foreign direct investment, but a ‘social dimension’ also, including expenditure on health and education. However, the ‘Chinese approach of social welfare appears to be mediated under a different set of normative premises, institutional actors, and policy mechanisms from traditional development partners. Based on in-depth elite interviews, and a systematic content analysis of key policy documents, this research examines both the nature and implications of the emerging Chinese “social policy model” in Africa. Located within global social policy discourses and focusing on the role of policy actors, the analysis investigates how welfare and social policy is conceptualized in China-Africa development aid cooperation. The study explores the implications for our understanding of traditional debates concerning the drivers of social policy development, as well as the extent to which these ideas represent a new policy paradigm or merely repeat earlier debates.
Menno Fenger, Martijn van der Steen, and Lieske van der Torre
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781447305767
- eISBN:
- 9781447311577
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447305767.003.0004
- Subject:
- Sociology, Social Movements and Social Change
This chapter analyses and explains the dynamics of social assistance policies in the Netherlands and reflects on the evolution of Dutch social assistance policies from a European comparative ...
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This chapter analyses and explains the dynamics of social assistance policies in the Netherlands and reflects on the evolution of Dutch social assistance policies from a European comparative perspective. It starts with a general overview of trends in social assistance policies throughout Europe and identifies key issues regarding the responsiveness of social assistance policies. It then analyses the Dutch case in detail. It offers a comprehensive overview of the development of the policies, the public preferences, socio-economic and societal dynamics and their interplay. Finally the chapter compares the responsiveness of the Dutch case with developments in other European countries and tries to explain the differences and similarities.Less
This chapter analyses and explains the dynamics of social assistance policies in the Netherlands and reflects on the evolution of Dutch social assistance policies from a European comparative perspective. It starts with a general overview of trends in social assistance policies throughout Europe and identifies key issues regarding the responsiveness of social assistance policies. It then analyses the Dutch case in detail. It offers a comprehensive overview of the development of the policies, the public preferences, socio-economic and societal dynamics and their interplay. Finally the chapter compares the responsiveness of the Dutch case with developments in other European countries and tries to explain the differences and similarities.
Theodoros Sakellaropoulos
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9781847420206
- eISBN:
- 9781447303794
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781847420206.003.0012
- Subject:
- Sociology, Comparative and Historical Sociology
This chapter analyses and explains Greece's official response to the EU's evolving social policy. Understanding this response requires a careful consideration of the four important factors that ...
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This chapter analyses and explains Greece's official response to the EU's evolving social policy. Understanding this response requires a careful consideration of the four important factors that influence the overall Greek attitude towards the European integration project. These factors are: the country's economic underdevelopment compared to other EU countries; the late and inadequate development of social structures and the welfare state; the wide consensus among major political parties on European integration, based on the predominance of political criteria; and the underdevelopment of civil society and the ineffectiveness of public administration. Greece's reactions to EU policies and initiatives on employment and social protection in recent years were neither sufficient nor consistent nor clear. This problem is reflected by the absence of Greek responses to EU documents. Positions on EU policies are scattered and are accessible to a very closed circle of technocrats near the Prime Minister. In addition to the exclusion of highly educated public servants, Greek ministries do not always pay close attention to EU matters and Greece cannot decisively formulate national positions on European social issues, even in a general way. The Europeanisation of Greek social policy is not always a dynamic process. Although Greek social policy follows the general pace of other Member States, it does not exhibit particular enthusiasm or inspiration. Greek governments are trapped in the quest for pan-European social integration, hence they underestimated and responded unwillingly to ‘minor’ Europan social initiatives such as the open method of coordination, the Green Paper, and the Social Policy Agenda. Greece needs to adopt a more proactive approach and strengthen the managerial and planning capacities of public administration, while granting more authority to medium-level policy makers.Less
This chapter analyses and explains Greece's official response to the EU's evolving social policy. Understanding this response requires a careful consideration of the four important factors that influence the overall Greek attitude towards the European integration project. These factors are: the country's economic underdevelopment compared to other EU countries; the late and inadequate development of social structures and the welfare state; the wide consensus among major political parties on European integration, based on the predominance of political criteria; and the underdevelopment of civil society and the ineffectiveness of public administration. Greece's reactions to EU policies and initiatives on employment and social protection in recent years were neither sufficient nor consistent nor clear. This problem is reflected by the absence of Greek responses to EU documents. Positions on EU policies are scattered and are accessible to a very closed circle of technocrats near the Prime Minister. In addition to the exclusion of highly educated public servants, Greek ministries do not always pay close attention to EU matters and Greece cannot decisively formulate national positions on European social issues, even in a general way. The Europeanisation of Greek social policy is not always a dynamic process. Although Greek social policy follows the general pace of other Member States, it does not exhibit particular enthusiasm or inspiration. Greek governments are trapped in the quest for pan-European social integration, hence they underestimated and responded unwillingly to ‘minor’ Europan social initiatives such as the open method of coordination, the Green Paper, and the Social Policy Agenda. Greece needs to adopt a more proactive approach and strengthen the managerial and planning capacities of public administration, while granting more authority to medium-level policy makers.
Bob Deacon
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- January 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781447312338
- eISBN:
- 9781447312383
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447312338.003.0006
- Subject:
- Sociology, Politics, Social Movements and Social Change
This chapter argues that the SPF resulted from the intersection of the biographies of three individuals: the Head of the Social Security Department at the ILO, the Director General of the ILO and his ...
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This chapter argues that the SPF resulted from the intersection of the biographies of three individuals: the Head of the Social Security Department at the ILO, the Director General of the ILO and his Social Protection Advisor in his Cabinet with the idea that the world needed a global social floor which had for some time been advanced by a policy advocacy coalition. This was, essentially, an idea whose time had come with the new circumstances of the 2008 global economic crisis which provided the opportunity for the UN Chief Executive Board to act, an idea that could find an unlikely home inside the institution of the ILO which was open to a degree of policy change because of the de facto circumstance of the development of forms of social protection in Latin America and Africa. The subsequent endorsement by the G20, building on earlier work with the G8, was largely due to determined work by individuals working in the context of the fortuitous interest by France in having Social Protection on its G20 agenda. The chapter locates this explanation in the context of the theories of Global Social Policy Change including the Agency, Structure, Institution and Discourse (ASID) framework.Less
This chapter argues that the SPF resulted from the intersection of the biographies of three individuals: the Head of the Social Security Department at the ILO, the Director General of the ILO and his Social Protection Advisor in his Cabinet with the idea that the world needed a global social floor which had for some time been advanced by a policy advocacy coalition. This was, essentially, an idea whose time had come with the new circumstances of the 2008 global economic crisis which provided the opportunity for the UN Chief Executive Board to act, an idea that could find an unlikely home inside the institution of the ILO which was open to a degree of policy change because of the de facto circumstance of the development of forms of social protection in Latin America and Africa. The subsequent endorsement by the G20, building on earlier work with the G8, was largely due to determined work by individuals working in the context of the fortuitous interest by France in having Social Protection on its G20 agenda. The chapter locates this explanation in the context of the theories of Global Social Policy Change including the Agency, Structure, Institution and Discourse (ASID) framework.
