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.
Chak Kwan and Graham Bowpitt
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9781861344311
- eISBN:
- 9781447302551
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781861344311.003.0001
- Subject:
- Sociology, Social Stratification, Inequality, and Mobility
This chapter considers the concepts of human dignity and social policy, starting with an example of the treatment of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of American soldiers. It moves on to a discussion of ...
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This chapter considers the concepts of human dignity and social policy, starting with an example of the treatment of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of American soldiers. It moves on to a discussion of a study of dignity, which can help evaluate whether the current direction of social policy can actually promote human well-being. It introduces the concept of welfare-to-work programmes, comparative studies of welfare recipients, the Esping-Andersen model, and comparative social policy.Less
This chapter considers the concepts of human dignity and social policy, starting with an example of the treatment of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of American soldiers. It moves on to a discussion of a study of dignity, which can help evaluate whether the current direction of social policy can actually promote human well-being. It introduces the concept of welfare-to-work programmes, comparative studies of welfare recipients, the Esping-Andersen model, and comparative social policy.
Gaby Ramia, Simon Marginson, and Erlenawati Sawir
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- January 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781447310150
- eISBN:
- 9781447310174
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447310150.003.0007
- Subject:
- Sociology, Education
Having discussed the Australian and Zealand models of international student welfare regulation respectively in the two previous chapters, this chapter conducts a comparative analysis of the two ...
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Having discussed the Australian and Zealand models of international student welfare regulation respectively in the two previous chapters, this chapter conducts a comparative analysis of the two national cases. The comparison is in terms of the formal regime in each country as well as the impact of that regime on the ground in terms of student welfare, analysed principally through review of formal and informal regulation in interviewee feedback. The context for the Australia-New Zealand discussion is set by a comprehensive review early on in the chapter of ‘the comparative evolution of welfare’ in the two countries. The comparative politics and policy literatures are harnessed to shed light on the findings of the chapter and the book more generally.Less
Having discussed the Australian and Zealand models of international student welfare regulation respectively in the two previous chapters, this chapter conducts a comparative analysis of the two national cases. The comparison is in terms of the formal regime in each country as well as the impact of that regime on the ground in terms of student welfare, analysed principally through review of formal and informal regulation in interviewee feedback. The context for the Australia-New Zealand discussion is set by a comprehensive review early on in the chapter of ‘the comparative evolution of welfare’ in the two countries. The comparative politics and policy literatures are harnessed to shed light on the findings of the chapter and the book more generally.
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.
Anne Daguerre
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- January 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781447338338
- eISBN:
- 9781447338376
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447338338.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
How will the social policies of Barack Obama go down in the history books?
Obama's record stands out principally because of the strong political and philosophical commitment to affordable health ...
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How will the social policies of Barack Obama go down in the history books?
Obama's record stands out principally because of the strong political and philosophical commitment to affordable health care. However, the U.S. still performs badly in terms of antipoverty policies compared to other rich nations.
Using new research, Anne Daguerre examines Obama’s legacy on welfare and antipoverty policies, focusing on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, (SNAP), and Medicaid. The book provides an up-to-date account of the contemporary politics of poverty and public entitlements in the U.S., comparing this with the Western European experience to assess what lessons can be learnt.
Anne Daguerre explains how the Obama administration's attempts to expand the frontiers of the American welfare state have been confronted by institutional, ideological and constitutional constraints. The presidential capacity to shape legislative outcomes has been severely limited in an era of divided government and hyper-partisan politics.
Barack Obama was faced by a right wing backlash of colossal proportions in the form of the Tea Party movement. Donald Trump represents the continuation of this revolt. However, Trump’s cabinet of insurgents has been unable to run complex government programs. The divided Republican-dominated Congress has failed to offer credible alternatives to Obama’s social policies. The ideological and partisan nature of the anti-Obama backlash could paradoxically help Obama’s signature achievement, the Affordable Care Act, survive the Trump presidency.Less
How will the social policies of Barack Obama go down in the history books?
Obama's record stands out principally because of the strong political and philosophical commitment to affordable health care. However, the U.S. still performs badly in terms of antipoverty policies compared to other rich nations.
Using new research, Anne Daguerre examines Obama’s legacy on welfare and antipoverty policies, focusing on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, (SNAP), and Medicaid. The book provides an up-to-date account of the contemporary politics of poverty and public entitlements in the U.S., comparing this with the Western European experience to assess what lessons can be learnt.
Anne Daguerre explains how the Obama administration's attempts to expand the frontiers of the American welfare state have been confronted by institutional, ideological and constitutional constraints. The presidential capacity to shape legislative outcomes has been severely limited in an era of divided government and hyper-partisan politics.
Barack Obama was faced by a right wing backlash of colossal proportions in the form of the Tea Party movement. Donald Trump represents the continuation of this revolt. However, Trump’s cabinet of insurgents has been unable to run complex government programs. The divided Republican-dominated Congress has failed to offer credible alternatives to Obama’s social policies. The ideological and partisan nature of the anti-Obama backlash could paradoxically help Obama’s signature achievement, the Affordable Care Act, survive the Trump presidency.
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/9781447305767.003.0002
- Subject:
- Sociology, Social Movements and Social Change
This chapter discusses the issue of responsiveness and legitimacy of European welfare states from a comparative perspective. It start from the assumption that the failure to respond to societal, ...
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This chapter discusses the issue of responsiveness and legitimacy of European welfare states from a comparative perspective. It start from the assumption that the failure to respond to societal, socio-economic and ideological transformations might result in a legitimacy crisis of the welfare state. This chapter analyses if this crisis really exists, using data from nine European countries. It shows that legitimacy is a multi-faced concept. Although the literature suggests that three indicators (trust, congruence and satisfaction) might be used, an analysis of European data shows that there is no correlation between these three indicators. Therefore, we cannot speak of a general legitimacy crisis of European welfare states. What is seen however, is diverging public preferences and developments throughout Europe. This raises the question of how to respond to these diverging preferences and developments.Less
This chapter discusses the issue of responsiveness and legitimacy of European welfare states from a comparative perspective. It start from the assumption that the failure to respond to societal, socio-economic and ideological transformations might result in a legitimacy crisis of the welfare state. This chapter analyses if this crisis really exists, using data from nine European countries. It shows that legitimacy is a multi-faced concept. Although the literature suggests that three indicators (trust, congruence and satisfaction) might be used, an analysis of European data shows that there is no correlation between these three indicators. Therefore, we cannot speak of a general legitimacy crisis of European welfare states. What is seen however, is diverging public preferences and developments throughout Europe. This raises the question of how to respond to these diverging preferences and developments.
Cristiano Gori, Jose-Luis Fernandez, and Raphael Wittenberg (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- January 2017
- ISBN:
- 9781447305057
- eISBN:
- 9781447311539
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447305057.001.0001
- Subject:
- Earth Sciences and Geography, Urban Geography
Long-term care (LTC) is a key policy priority for governments internationally. Most countries are faced with demographic and/or socio-economic changes that are resulting in a significant growth in ...
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Long-term care (LTC) is a key policy priority for governments internationally. Most countries are faced with demographic and/or socio-economic changes that are resulting in a significant growth in the need for LTC services. The impact on LTC systems of higher demand is compounded by long-run increases in service unit costs, and by reductions in the availability of unpaid care, which still provides the lion share of the support for people with long-term care needs. In addition, the rising political voice of key LTC consumer groups and the mounting pressures on public service budgets mean that LTC is likely to remain for the foreseeable future at the forefront of the political agenda across OECD nations. Since the 90s, long-term care policies have undergone significant transformations across many countries. In some instances, these changes have been the outcome of major explicit policy goals. In others, new systems have come about through the accumulation of incremental changes. As a result, LTC policy reforms in the last decades across OECD countries offer a rich body of experience that should inform the design of strategies for improving equity and efficiency in the LTC systems of the future. The main purpose of this book is to analyse the range of solutions adopted internationally about how to organise, regulate and fund LTC services in the face of the growing needs of ageing societies.Less
Long-term care (LTC) is a key policy priority for governments internationally. Most countries are faced with demographic and/or socio-economic changes that are resulting in a significant growth in the need for LTC services. The impact on LTC systems of higher demand is compounded by long-run increases in service unit costs, and by reductions in the availability of unpaid care, which still provides the lion share of the support for people with long-term care needs. In addition, the rising political voice of key LTC consumer groups and the mounting pressures on public service budgets mean that LTC is likely to remain for the foreseeable future at the forefront of the political agenda across OECD nations. Since the 90s, long-term care policies have undergone significant transformations across many countries. In some instances, these changes have been the outcome of major explicit policy goals. In others, new systems have come about through the accumulation of incremental changes. As a result, LTC policy reforms in the last decades across OECD countries offer a rich body of experience that should inform the design of strategies for improving equity and efficiency in the LTC systems of the future. The main purpose of this book is to analyse the range of solutions adopted internationally about how to organise, regulate and fund LTC services in the face of the growing needs of ageing societies.
Qin Gao
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- February 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780190218133
- eISBN:
- 9780190672966
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190218133.001.0001
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
This book provides the first systematic evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of China’s primary social assistance program, Minimum Livelihood Guarantee, or Dibao. Dibao serves the dual ...
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This book provides the first systematic evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of China’s primary social assistance program, Minimum Livelihood Guarantee, or Dibao. Dibao serves the dual functions of providing a basic safety net for the poor and maintaining political and social stability. Despite currently being the world’s largest welfare program in terms of population coverage, evidence on Dibao’s performance has been lacking. This book offers important new empirical evidence and draws policy lessons that are timely and useful for both China and beyond. Specifically, the book addresses the following questions: How effective has Dibao been in targeting the poor and alleviating poverty? Have Dibao recipients been dependent on welfare or able to move from welfare to work? How has Dibao affected their consumption patterns and subjective well-being? Do they use the Dibao subsidy to meet survival needs (such as food, clothing, and shelter) or invest in human capital (such as health and education)? Are they distressed by the stigma associated with receiving Dibao, or do they become more optimistic about the future and enjoy greater life satisfaction because of Dibao support? And finally, what policy lessons can we learn from the existing evidence to strengthen and improve Dibao in the future? Answers to these questions not only help us gain an in-depth understanding of Dibao’s performance but also add the Chinese case to the growing international literature on comparative welfare studies.Less
This book provides the first systematic evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of China’s primary social assistance program, Minimum Livelihood Guarantee, or Dibao. Dibao serves the dual functions of providing a basic safety net for the poor and maintaining political and social stability. Despite currently being the world’s largest welfare program in terms of population coverage, evidence on Dibao’s performance has been lacking. This book offers important new empirical evidence and draws policy lessons that are timely and useful for both China and beyond. Specifically, the book addresses the following questions: How effective has Dibao been in targeting the poor and alleviating poverty? Have Dibao recipients been dependent on welfare or able to move from welfare to work? How has Dibao affected their consumption patterns and subjective well-being? Do they use the Dibao subsidy to meet survival needs (such as food, clothing, and shelter) or invest in human capital (such as health and education)? Are they distressed by the stigma associated with receiving Dibao, or do they become more optimistic about the future and enjoy greater life satisfaction because of Dibao support? And finally, what policy lessons can we learn from the existing evidence to strengthen and improve Dibao in the future? Answers to these questions not only help us gain an in-depth understanding of Dibao’s performance but also add the Chinese case to the growing international literature on comparative welfare studies.
