Jonathan Wolff and Avner de-Shalit
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199278268
- eISBN:
- 9780191707902
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199278268.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
What does it mean to be disadvantaged? Is it possible to compare different disadvantages? What should governments do to move their societies in the direction of equality, where equality is to be ...
More
What does it mean to be disadvantaged? Is it possible to compare different disadvantages? What should governments do to move their societies in the direction of equality, where equality is to be understood both in distributional and social terms? Linking analytical philosophical theory with broad empirical studies, including interviews conducted for the purpose of this book, it is shown how taking theory and practice together is essential if the theory is to be rich enough to be applied to the real world, and policy systematic enough to have purpose and justification. The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 presents a pluralist analysis of disadvantage, modifying the capability theory of Sen and Nussbaum to produce the ‘genuine opportunity for secure functioning’ view. This emphasizes risk and insecurity as a central component of disadvantage. Part 2 shows how to identify the least advantaged in society even on a pluralist view. It is suggested that disadvantage ‘clusters’ in the sense that some people are disadvantaged in several different respects. Thus, it is not necessary to solve the problem of how to weigh different categories of disadvantage against each other in order to identify the least advantaged. Conversely, a society which has ‘declustered disadvantaged’ — in the sense that no group lacks secure functioning on a range of functionings — has made considerable progress in the direction of equality. Part 3 explores how to decluster disadvantage, by paying special attention to ‘corrosive disadvantages’ — those disadvantages that cause further disadvantages, and ‘fertile functionings’ — those which are likely to secure other functionings.Less
What does it mean to be disadvantaged? Is it possible to compare different disadvantages? What should governments do to move their societies in the direction of equality, where equality is to be understood both in distributional and social terms? Linking analytical philosophical theory with broad empirical studies, including interviews conducted for the purpose of this book, it is shown how taking theory and practice together is essential if the theory is to be rich enough to be applied to the real world, and policy systematic enough to have purpose and justification. The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 presents a pluralist analysis of disadvantage, modifying the capability theory of Sen and Nussbaum to produce the ‘genuine opportunity for secure functioning’ view. This emphasizes risk and insecurity as a central component of disadvantage. Part 2 shows how to identify the least advantaged in society even on a pluralist view. It is suggested that disadvantage ‘clusters’ in the sense that some people are disadvantaged in several different respects. Thus, it is not necessary to solve the problem of how to weigh different categories of disadvantage against each other in order to identify the least advantaged. Conversely, a society which has ‘declustered disadvantaged’ — in the sense that no group lacks secure functioning on a range of functionings — has made considerable progress in the direction of equality. Part 3 explores how to decluster disadvantage, by paying special attention to ‘corrosive disadvantages’ — those disadvantages that cause further disadvantages, and ‘fertile functionings’ — those which are likely to secure other functionings.
Jonathan Wolff and Avner De-Shalit
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199278268
- eISBN:
- 9780191707902
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199278268.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
If disadvantage is plural, how could we know who are the least advantaged? One possible way of treating this ‘indexing problem’ is to claim that pluralism is not the problem but the solution: that ...
More
If disadvantage is plural, how could we know who are the least advantaged? One possible way of treating this ‘indexing problem’ is to claim that pluralism is not the problem but the solution: that is, the state should isolate each functioning and challenge each area of disadvantage separately (sectoral justice). It is argued this approach is unable to show how to set priorities between different budget heads. A method is suggested for indexing disadvantages relying on the idea of ‘weighting sensitivity’, which looks for convergence in ordering between different weighting schemes. However, this method is complex and a simpler, pragmatic method is proposed, which looks directly for clustering of disadvantage between six ‘high-weight’ functionings which appeared as the most important ones in the interviews: life, bodily health, bodily integrity, affiliation, control over environment, and sense of imagination and thought. Those who do poorly on several of these categories will be among the least advantaged in society.Less
If disadvantage is plural, how could we know who are the least advantaged? One possible way of treating this ‘indexing problem’ is to claim that pluralism is not the problem but the solution: that is, the state should isolate each functioning and challenge each area of disadvantage separately (sectoral justice). It is argued this approach is unable to show how to set priorities between different budget heads. A method is suggested for indexing disadvantages relying on the idea of ‘weighting sensitivity’, which looks for convergence in ordering between different weighting schemes. However, this method is complex and a simpler, pragmatic method is proposed, which looks directly for clustering of disadvantage between six ‘high-weight’ functionings which appeared as the most important ones in the interviews: life, bodily health, bodily integrity, affiliation, control over environment, and sense of imagination and thought. Those who do poorly on several of these categories will be among the least advantaged in society.
Jonathan Wolff and Avner De-Shalit
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199278268
- eISBN:
- 9780191707902
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199278268.003.0012
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
This concluding chapter shows how this project brings together theory and practice, and draws out some ways in which the book contributes to the understanding of equality. These include redefining ...
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This concluding chapter shows how this project brings together theory and practice, and draws out some ways in which the book contributes to the understanding of equality. These include redefining advantage and disadvantage; tracking the least advantages; relevance to real life; including the voices of disadvantaged people; and justification for focusing on the least advantaged.Less
This concluding chapter shows how this project brings together theory and practice, and draws out some ways in which the book contributes to the understanding of equality. These include redefining advantage and disadvantage; tracking the least advantages; relevance to real life; including the voices of disadvantaged people; and justification for focusing on the least advantaged.
Jonathan Wolff and Avner De-Shalit
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199278268
- eISBN:
- 9780191707902
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199278268.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
This chapter deepens the discussion of the nature of disadvantage by asking: what categories of functionings exhaust those necessary to construct a full philosophical theory of disadvantage? ...
More
This chapter deepens the discussion of the nature of disadvantage by asking: what categories of functionings exhaust those necessary to construct a full philosophical theory of disadvantage? Beginning with a list offered by Martha Nussbaum, and Sen's capability approach, the concepts of capability and functionings are further analysed, using the method of ‘dynamic public reflective equilibrium’. This involves a dialogue between the philosopher and the public, in this case a series of interviews with disadvantaged people and with professionals who take care of disadvantaged people in a variety of fields. The result is that while basically Nussbaum's list is shown to be intuitive, four additional categories are suggested. Thus, a new list of functionings is devised as part of the task of setting out a particular pluralist account of disadvantage.Less
This chapter deepens the discussion of the nature of disadvantage by asking: what categories of functionings exhaust those necessary to construct a full philosophical theory of disadvantage? Beginning with a list offered by Martha Nussbaum, and Sen's capability approach, the concepts of capability and functionings are further analysed, using the method of ‘dynamic public reflective equilibrium’. This involves a dialogue between the philosopher and the public, in this case a series of interviews with disadvantaged people and with professionals who take care of disadvantaged people in a variety of fields. The result is that while basically Nussbaum's list is shown to be intuitive, four additional categories are suggested. Thus, a new list of functionings is devised as part of the task of setting out a particular pluralist account of disadvantage.
Jonathan Wolff and Avner De-Shalit
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199278268
- eISBN:
- 9780191707902
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199278268.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
This chapter argues the importance of examining not only what functionings a person achieves, but also his or her prospect of securing and sustaining a level of functioning should he or she attempt ...
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This chapter argues the importance of examining not only what functionings a person achieves, but also his or her prospect of securing and sustaining a level of functioning should he or she attempt to do so. Key determinants of their prospects are: their probability of success, and what they have to sacrifice to achieve that probability of success. Thus, a key aspect of disadvantage is for one's functionings being or becoming insecure involuntarily, or when in order to secure certain functionings, one is forced to make other functionings insecure in a way that other people do not have to do. Accordingly, a policy of rectifying disadvantage would need to pay special attention to the question of how to secure functionings and how to avoid cross-category risk, i.e., when a risk spreads to other functionings. It is suggested that if a snapshot of a person's functioning is to be represented as a bar chart, the heights and widths of each bar should represent the functioning level achieved and the functioning's security, respectively.Less
This chapter argues the importance of examining not only what functionings a person achieves, but also his or her prospect of securing and sustaining a level of functioning should he or she attempt to do so. Key determinants of their prospects are: their probability of success, and what they have to sacrifice to achieve that probability of success. Thus, a key aspect of disadvantage is for one's functionings being or becoming insecure involuntarily, or when in order to secure certain functionings, one is forced to make other functionings insecure in a way that other people do not have to do. Accordingly, a policy of rectifying disadvantage would need to pay special attention to the question of how to secure functionings and how to avoid cross-category risk, i.e., when a risk spreads to other functionings. It is suggested that if a snapshot of a person's functioning is to be represented as a bar chart, the heights and widths of each bar should represent the functioning level achieved and the functioning's security, respectively.
Jonathan Wolff and Avner De-Shalit
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199278268
- eISBN:
- 9780191707902
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199278268.003.0005
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
This chapter argues that the idea of ‘capability’ is too vague; it is replaced with the concept of ‘genuine opportunities’ for secure functioning. An opportunity for a functioning is genuine to the ...
More
This chapter argues that the idea of ‘capability’ is too vague; it is replaced with the concept of ‘genuine opportunities’ for secure functioning. An opportunity for a functioning is genuine to the extent that the agent is not required to sacrifice the security of other important functionings to secure this particular functioning. It is argued that only in such cases can people be held responsible for failing to make use of their opportunities. Therefore, the government should guarantee genuine opportunities for secure functionings. The case in which an individual has achieved a functioning level that is higher than could be reasonably expected is briefly addressed.Less
This chapter argues that the idea of ‘capability’ is too vague; it is replaced with the concept of ‘genuine opportunities’ for secure functioning. An opportunity for a functioning is genuine to the extent that the agent is not required to sacrifice the security of other important functionings to secure this particular functioning. It is argued that only in such cases can people be held responsible for failing to make use of their opportunities. Therefore, the government should guarantee genuine opportunities for secure functionings. The case in which an individual has achieved a functioning level that is higher than could be reasonably expected is briefly addressed.
Jonathan Wolff and Avner De-Shalit
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199278268
- eISBN:
- 9780191707902
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199278268.003.0007
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
In the previous chapter, it was assumed that it is possible to measure the functioning level of each representative individual for each functioning. This chapter explores how and why such measurement ...
More
In the previous chapter, it was assumed that it is possible to measure the functioning level of each representative individual for each functioning. This chapter explores how and why such measurement can and should be done. It suggests that such a method should combine both subjective and objective measures, gaining the benefits of both, but providing a cross-check on each other. The York model — named after research on poverty conducted by scholars from the University of York — provides a sound approach which, from the point of the view of the current project, has many advantages. It is suggested that using one subjective and two objective measures, and looking for overlap between at least two measures is a very promising way of assessing disadvantage within possibly each category of functioning.Less
In the previous chapter, it was assumed that it is possible to measure the functioning level of each representative individual for each functioning. This chapter explores how and why such measurement can and should be done. It suggests that such a method should combine both subjective and objective measures, gaining the benefits of both, but providing a cross-check on each other. The York model — named after research on poverty conducted by scholars from the University of York — provides a sound approach which, from the point of the view of the current project, has many advantages. It is suggested that using one subjective and two objective measures, and looking for overlap between at least two measures is a very promising way of assessing disadvantage within possibly each category of functioning.
Jonathan Wolff and Avner De-Shalit
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199278268
- eISBN:
- 9780191707902
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199278268.003.0009
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
This chapter looks at the issue of how it might be possible to decluster disadvantage. The best means of doing so will be for government to attend to corrosive disadvantages — those that cause other ...
More
This chapter looks at the issue of how it might be possible to decluster disadvantage. The best means of doing so will be for government to attend to corrosive disadvantages — those that cause other disadvantages, and fertile functionings — those that have good effects on other functionings. It is argued that while empirical studies strongly suggest that being disadvantaged in terms of affiliation and control over the environment are corrosive, it is less clear which particular functionings are fertile. However, there is some evidence that possession of ‘soft skills’ and being educated are fertile at least in certain circumstances. By contrast, while poverty is very corrosive, the mere possession of extra money above a certain level does not appear to be particularly fertile. It is suggested that states invest in such research.Less
This chapter looks at the issue of how it might be possible to decluster disadvantage. The best means of doing so will be for government to attend to corrosive disadvantages — those that cause other disadvantages, and fertile functionings — those that have good effects on other functionings. It is argued that while empirical studies strongly suggest that being disadvantaged in terms of affiliation and control over the environment are corrosive, it is less clear which particular functionings are fertile. However, there is some evidence that possession of ‘soft skills’ and being educated are fertile at least in certain circumstances. By contrast, while poverty is very corrosive, the mere possession of extra money above a certain level does not appear to be particularly fertile. It is suggested that states invest in such research.
Todd R Clear
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780195305791
- eISBN:
- 9780199943944
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195305791.001.0001
- Subject:
- Sociology, Law, Crime and Deviance
At no time in history, and certainly in no other democratic society, have prisons been filled so quickly and to such capacity than in the United States. And nowhere has this growth been more ...
More
At no time in history, and certainly in no other democratic society, have prisons been filled so quickly and to such capacity than in the United States. And nowhere has this growth been more concentrated than in the disadvantaged—and primarily minority—neighborhoods of America's largest urban cities. In the most impoverished places, as much as 20% of the adult men are locked up on any given day, and there is hardly a family without a father, son, brother, or uncle who has not been behind bars. While the effects of going to and returning home from prison are well-documented, little attention has been paid to the impact of removal on neighborhoods where large numbers of individuals have been imprisoned. In the first detailed, empirical exploration of the effects of mass incarceration on poor places, this book demonstrates that in high doses incarceration contributes to the very social problems it is intended to solve—it breaks up family and social networks; deprives siblings, spouses, and parents of emotional and financial support; threatens the economic and political infrastructure of already struggling neighborhoods; and destabilizes the community, thus further reducing public safety. Especially at risk are children who, research shows, are more likely to commit a crime if a father or brother has been to prison. Demonstrating that the current incarceration policy in urban America does more harm than good, from increasing crime to widening racial disparities and diminished life chances for youths, the book argues that we cannot overcome the problem of mass incarceration concentrated in poor places without incorporating an idea of community justice into our failing correctional and criminal justice systems.Less
At no time in history, and certainly in no other democratic society, have prisons been filled so quickly and to such capacity than in the United States. And nowhere has this growth been more concentrated than in the disadvantaged—and primarily minority—neighborhoods of America's largest urban cities. In the most impoverished places, as much as 20% of the adult men are locked up on any given day, and there is hardly a family without a father, son, brother, or uncle who has not been behind bars. While the effects of going to and returning home from prison are well-documented, little attention has been paid to the impact of removal on neighborhoods where large numbers of individuals have been imprisoned. In the first detailed, empirical exploration of the effects of mass incarceration on poor places, this book demonstrates that in high doses incarceration contributes to the very social problems it is intended to solve—it breaks up family and social networks; deprives siblings, spouses, and parents of emotional and financial support; threatens the economic and political infrastructure of already struggling neighborhoods; and destabilizes the community, thus further reducing public safety. Especially at risk are children who, research shows, are more likely to commit a crime if a father or brother has been to prison. Demonstrating that the current incarceration policy in urban America does more harm than good, from increasing crime to widening racial disparities and diminished life chances for youths, the book argues that we cannot overcome the problem of mass incarceration concentrated in poor places without incorporating an idea of community justice into our failing correctional and criminal justice systems.
Andrea M. Herrmann
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199543434
- eISBN:
- 9780191715693
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199543434.003.0003
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Strategy, Political Economy
This chapter analyses how firms can compete despite comparative disadvantages of national financial-market institutions. It first studies whether pharmaceutical firms in Germany, Italy, and the UK ...
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This chapter analyses how firms can compete despite comparative disadvantages of national financial-market institutions. It first studies whether pharmaceutical firms in Germany, Italy, and the UK require different types of financing to pursue strategies of radical product innovation, incremental product innovation, and product imitation, respectively. Since quantitative analyses of corporate balance sheets show this to be the case, the chapter goes on to ask how firms can acquire the necessary financial means if their provision is limited by unfavourable national institutions. Illustrating how firms collaborate with foreign investors, it identifies international financial markets as a functional equivalent to national institutions promoting the availability of institutional (venture) capital. It concludes with reflections on how these findings contribute to the resource-based view and the competitiveness literature, and illustrates how a Schumpeterian perception of firms as creative entrepreneurs helps to explain how they compete despite comparative institutional disadvantages.Less
This chapter analyses how firms can compete despite comparative disadvantages of national financial-market institutions. It first studies whether pharmaceutical firms in Germany, Italy, and the UK require different types of financing to pursue strategies of radical product innovation, incremental product innovation, and product imitation, respectively. Since quantitative analyses of corporate balance sheets show this to be the case, the chapter goes on to ask how firms can acquire the necessary financial means if their provision is limited by unfavourable national institutions. Illustrating how firms collaborate with foreign investors, it identifies international financial markets as a functional equivalent to national institutions promoting the availability of institutional (venture) capital. It concludes with reflections on how these findings contribute to the resource-based view and the competitiveness literature, and illustrates how a Schumpeterian perception of firms as creative entrepreneurs helps to explain how they compete despite comparative institutional disadvantages.
Andrea M. Herrmann
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199543434
- eISBN:
- 9780191715693
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199543434.003.0005
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Strategy, Political Economy
This chapter investigates how firms can compete despite comparative disadvantages of national labour-market institutions. It first analyses whether pharmaceutical firms in Germany, Italy, and the UK ...
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This chapter investigates how firms can compete despite comparative disadvantages of national labour-market institutions. It first analyses whether pharmaceutical firms in Germany, Italy, and the UK require employees with different types of skills to pursue strategies of radical product innovation, incremental product innovation, and product imitation, respectively. Since quantitative analyses of employees' skill profiles show this to be the case, the chapter goes on to ask how firms can acquire the necessary skill types if their availability is limited by unfavourable labour-market institutions. Illustrating how firms hire employees from abroad and on the basis of atypical contracts, the chapter identifies international labour markets and contracts as functional equivalents to national labour-market institutions. It concludes with reflections on how these findings contribute to the resource-based view and the competitiveness literature, and illustrates that a Schumpeterian perception of firms as creative entrepreneurs can help to explain how firms compete despite comparative institutional disadvantages.Less
This chapter investigates how firms can compete despite comparative disadvantages of national labour-market institutions. It first analyses whether pharmaceutical firms in Germany, Italy, and the UK require employees with different types of skills to pursue strategies of radical product innovation, incremental product innovation, and product imitation, respectively. Since quantitative analyses of employees' skill profiles show this to be the case, the chapter goes on to ask how firms can acquire the necessary skill types if their availability is limited by unfavourable labour-market institutions. Illustrating how firms hire employees from abroad and on the basis of atypical contracts, the chapter identifies international labour markets and contracts as functional equivalents to national labour-market institutions. It concludes with reflections on how these findings contribute to the resource-based view and the competitiveness literature, and illustrates that a Schumpeterian perception of firms as creative entrepreneurs can help to explain how firms compete despite comparative institutional disadvantages.
Andrea M. Herrmann
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199543434
- eISBN:
- 9780191715693
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199543434.003.0007
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Strategy, Political Economy
This chapter summarizes and interprets the results obtained throughout the book. It recapitulates that international institutions and contracts serve as functional equivalents to national ...
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This chapter summarizes and interprets the results obtained throughout the book. It recapitulates that international institutions and contracts serve as functional equivalents to national institutions since they enable firms to secure required input factors for different competitive strategies and, hence, to compete despite comparative institutional disadvantages. Elaborating on these findings, the chapter shows how they can contribute to current theoretical debates. More concretely, they shed light on suggestions found in strategic management theories that underscore factor heterogeneity; on arguments in the institutional literature about how institutions matter; on suggestions about how national policy-making can promote corporate competitiveness; and on convergence and divergence theories of internationalization and its influence on entrepreneurial practices.Less
This chapter summarizes and interprets the results obtained throughout the book. It recapitulates that international institutions and contracts serve as functional equivalents to national institutions since they enable firms to secure required input factors for different competitive strategies and, hence, to compete despite comparative institutional disadvantages. Elaborating on these findings, the chapter shows how they can contribute to current theoretical debates. More concretely, they shed light on suggestions found in strategic management theories that underscore factor heterogeneity; on arguments in the institutional literature about how institutions matter; on suggestions about how national policy-making can promote corporate competitiveness; and on convergence and divergence theories of internationalization and its influence on entrepreneurial practices.
Cheshire Calhoun
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780199257669
- eISBN:
- 9780191598906
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199257663.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
It is argued that lesbian and gay subordination differs substantially in form from gender and racial oppression. In particular, it does not materialize in a disadvantaged place that would sharply ...
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It is argued that lesbian and gay subordination differs substantially in form from gender and racial oppression. In particular, it does not materialize in a disadvantaged place that would sharply reduce the access of lesbians and gay men as a group to basic social goods. Instead, lesbians and gays are systematically displaced to the outside of civil society so that they have no legitimized place, not even a disadvantaged one. The displacement occurs because of the requirement that all citizens adopt at least the appearance of a heterosexual identity as a condition of access to the public sphere. Various aspects of this displacement are addressed in detail.Less
It is argued that lesbian and gay subordination differs substantially in form from gender and racial oppression. In particular, it does not materialize in a disadvantaged place that would sharply reduce the access of lesbians and gay men as a group to basic social goods. Instead, lesbians and gays are systematically displaced to the outside of civil society so that they have no legitimized place, not even a disadvantaged one. The displacement occurs because of the requirement that all citizens adopt at least the appearance of a heterosexual identity as a condition of access to the public sphere. Various aspects of this displacement are addressed in detail.
Philip Manow
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198297567
- eISBN:
- 9780191600104
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198297564.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
This is the second of three chapters on the role of economic interests, and of systems for representing those interests, in the politics of welfare state reform. They explore the linkages between ...
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This is the second of three chapters on the role of economic interests, and of systems for representing those interests, in the politics of welfare state reform. They explore the linkages between national welfare states and national economies, and examine the processes through which economic actors press their interests on policy makers. Section 1 of Manow's chapter offers a critical account of contributions that predict the formation of new political coalitions along the cleavage line between those firms and workers that are forced to adjust to international market pressures and those that enjoy domestic shelter from globalized markets; a brief discussion is included of the relative importance of the electorate in current welfare reforms as compared with the role played by organized interests of capital and labour. Section 2 presents a transaction cost argument that seeks to identify one central logic linking production and protection in continental welfare states and coordinated market economies, respectively; the central argument is that generous welfare state programmes may enhance and not diminish international competitiveness and can be part of the comparative institutional advantage of an economy rather than solely contributing to its comparative cost disadvantage. Section 3 concludes by briefly discussing the implications of the argument presented in Sect. 2 for the present debate on the compensatory role of the welfare state in a globalized economy.Less
This is the second of three chapters on the role of economic interests, and of systems for representing those interests, in the politics of welfare state reform. They explore the linkages between national welfare states and national economies, and examine the processes through which economic actors press their interests on policy makers. Section 1 of Manow's chapter offers a critical account of contributions that predict the formation of new political coalitions along the cleavage line between those firms and workers that are forced to adjust to international market pressures and those that enjoy domestic shelter from globalized markets; a brief discussion is included of the relative importance of the electorate in current welfare reforms as compared with the role played by organized interests of capital and labour. Section 2 presents a transaction cost argument that seeks to identify one central logic linking production and protection in continental welfare states and coordinated market economies, respectively; the central argument is that generous welfare state programmes may enhance and not diminish international competitiveness and can be part of the comparative institutional advantage of an economy rather than solely contributing to its comparative cost disadvantage. Section 3 concludes by briefly discussing the implications of the argument presented in Sect. 2 for the present debate on the compensatory role of the welfare state in a globalized economy.
Rainer Bauböck
- Published in print:
- 1999
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198296102
- eISBN:
- 9780191599583
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/019829610X.003.0007
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
The third question, Do Minorities Require Group Rights?, has provoked sharply opposite answers. Rainer Baubock presents four arguments for ethnic group rights, one based on historical boundaries, a ...
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The third question, Do Minorities Require Group Rights?, has provoked sharply opposite answers. Rainer Baubock presents four arguments for ethnic group rights, one based on historical boundaries, a second referring to past discrimination, a third and fourth insisting on the intrinsic values of membership and diversity, respectively. Baubock urges liberals to abandon their hostility to ethnic group rights on grounds of principle, while conceding that such rights are justifiable to some, but not all circumstances.Less
The third question, Do Minorities Require Group Rights?, has provoked sharply opposite answers. Rainer Baubock presents four arguments for ethnic group rights, one based on historical boundaries, a second referring to past discrimination, a third and fourth insisting on the intrinsic values of membership and diversity, respectively. Baubock urges liberals to abandon their hostility to ethnic group rights on grounds of principle, while conceding that such rights are justifiable to some, but not all circumstances.
Duncan Gallie
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780199256433
- eISBN:
- 9780191599170
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199256438.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
Three main issues are addressed in this chapter. The first section, ‘Dimensions of employment disadvantage’, points out that although the central policy orientation for enhancing social inclusion in ...
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Three main issues are addressed in this chapter. The first section, ‘Dimensions of employment disadvantage’, points out that although the central policy orientation for enhancing social inclusion in Europe is increasing the employment rate, this is at best only a partial solution, because of the restricted possibilities for social participation and ongoing learning and training that many low‐skilled jobs offer. The second section, ‘Employment disadvantage in the life course’, shows that not only does low‐skilled employment provide rather limited life opportunities but also enhances the risk of persistent labour‐market marginalization. The last section, ‘Welfare and work: the future agenda’, addresses the fact that the principal emphasis in social policy has been on tackling the risk of social exclusion after people have entered unemployment (through the application of training and incentives), whereas, a long‐term preventative programme is needed that will protect people from the risk of labour‐market marginalization by ensuring continuous skill enhancement over their working lives.Less
Three main issues are addressed in this chapter. The first section, ‘Dimensions of employment disadvantage’, points out that although the central policy orientation for enhancing social inclusion in Europe is increasing the employment rate, this is at best only a partial solution, because of the restricted possibilities for social participation and ongoing learning and training that many low‐skilled jobs offer. The second section, ‘Employment disadvantage in the life course’, shows that not only does low‐skilled employment provide rather limited life opportunities but also enhances the risk of persistent labour‐market marginalization. The last section, ‘Welfare and work: the future agenda’, addresses the fact that the principal emphasis in social policy has been on tackling the risk of social exclusion after people have entered unemployment (through the application of training and incentives), whereas, a long‐term preventative programme is needed that will protect people from the risk of labour‐market marginalization by ensuring continuous skill enhancement over their working lives.
Colin M. Macleod
- Published in print:
- 1998
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198293972
- eISBN:
- 9780191599798
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198293976.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
Critically evaluates Dworkin's use of a hypothetical insurance market scheme to illuminate the degree to which justice requires the provision of compensation to persons with significant physical or ...
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Critically evaluates Dworkin's use of a hypothetical insurance market scheme to illuminate the degree to which justice requires the provision of compensation to persons with significant physical or mental disabilities. The chapter argues that the hypothetical insurance market scheme is procedurally unfair, is plagued by epistemic difficulties, and is insufficiently sensitive to the importance of addressing features of the social environment in virtue of which persons with disabilities are disadvantaged.Less
Critically evaluates Dworkin's use of a hypothetical insurance market scheme to illuminate the degree to which justice requires the provision of compensation to persons with significant physical or mental disabilities. The chapter argues that the hypothetical insurance market scheme is procedurally unfair, is plagued by epistemic difficulties, and is insufficiently sensitive to the importance of addressing features of the social environment in virtue of which persons with disabilities are disadvantaged.
Michael Marmot and Richard Wilkinson (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780198565895
- eISBN:
- 9780191723988
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198565895.001.0001
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
The health of populations is related to features of society and its social and economic organization. This crucial fact provides the basis for effective policy-making for improving population health. ...
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The health of populations is related to features of society and its social and economic organization. This crucial fact provides the basis for effective policy-making for improving population health. While there is, understandably, much concern regarding the appropriate provision and financing of health services as well as ensuring that the nature of the services provided is based on the best evidence of effectiveness, health is a matter that goes beyond the provision of health services. Policies pursued by many branches of government and by the private sector, both nationally and locally, exert a powerful influence on health — and this book shows the direction in which we should be going. Just as decisions about health services should be based on the best evidence available, so should policies related to the social determinants of health. The social determinants covered by the book include the impact of early life; the life course, the social gradient, and health; labour market disadvantage, unemployment, non-employment, and job insecurity; the psychosocial environment at work; transport; social support and social cohesion; the politics of food; poverty, social exclusion, and minorities; social patterning of individual behaviours; social determinants of ethnic/ racial inequalities; social determinants of health in older age; neighbourhoods, housing, and health; sexual behaviour and sexual health; and social vulnerability.Less
The health of populations is related to features of society and its social and economic organization. This crucial fact provides the basis for effective policy-making for improving population health. While there is, understandably, much concern regarding the appropriate provision and financing of health services as well as ensuring that the nature of the services provided is based on the best evidence of effectiveness, health is a matter that goes beyond the provision of health services. Policies pursued by many branches of government and by the private sector, both nationally and locally, exert a powerful influence on health — and this book shows the direction in which we should be going. Just as decisions about health services should be based on the best evidence available, so should policies related to the social determinants of health. The social determinants covered by the book include the impact of early life; the life course, the social gradient, and health; labour market disadvantage, unemployment, non-employment, and job insecurity; the psychosocial environment at work; transport; social support and social cohesion; the politics of food; poverty, social exclusion, and minorities; social patterning of individual behaviours; social determinants of ethnic/ racial inequalities; social determinants of health in older age; neighbourhoods, housing, and health; sexual behaviour and sexual health; and social vulnerability.
Jane Mansbridge
- Published in print:
- 2000
- Published Online:
- October 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780198297703
- eISBN:
- 9780191602948
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/019829770X.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
Disadvantaged groups may want to be represented by individuals who in their own backgrounds mirror the typical experiences of that group; these are descriptive representatives. The analysis presented ...
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Disadvantaged groups may want to be represented by individuals who in their own backgrounds mirror the typical experiences of that group; these are descriptive representatives. The analysis presented in this chapter stresses two specific contexts in which shared descriptive traits allow a representative to represent constituents’ substantive interests better than, say, a shared party label. These contexts are (1) when communication between representative and constituent would otherwise be undermined by mistrust, and (2) when the legislature must decide on ’uncrystallized’ issues, i.e. issues that did not appear on the political agenda at the time of the representative's election. If representation is judged by deliberative as well as aggregative criteria, it is found that, in the two contexts identified, the descriptive representation often furthers the substantive representation of interests.Less
Disadvantaged groups may want to be represented by individuals who in their own backgrounds mirror the typical experiences of that group; these are descriptive representatives. The analysis presented in this chapter stresses two specific contexts in which shared descriptive traits allow a representative to represent constituents’ substantive interests better than, say, a shared party label. These contexts are (1) when communication between representative and constituent would otherwise be undermined by mistrust, and (2) when the legislature must decide on ’uncrystallized’ issues, i.e. issues that did not appear on the political agenda at the time of the representative's election. If representation is judged by deliberative as well as aggregative criteria, it is found that, in the two contexts identified, the descriptive representation often furthers the substantive representation of interests.
J. Mark Halstead
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- January 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780199253661
- eISBN:
- 9780191601972
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199253668.003.0011
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
This is the last of the four essays in Part II of the book on liberalism and traditionalist education; all four are by authors who would like to find ways for the liberal state to honour the ...
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This is the last of the four essays in Part II of the book on liberalism and traditionalist education; all four are by authors who would like to find ways for the liberal state to honour the self-definitions of traditional cultures and to find ways of avoiding a confrontation with differences. One of the tasks of the book is to separate out different kinds of affiliation and the extent to which the arguments made about cultural recognition can be extended to other objects of affiliation. Mark Halstead’s chapter on schooling (education) and cultural maintenance for religious minorities in the liberal state provides a catalogue of the different types of groups that are to be found in liberal societies, and the different kinds of cultural and educational claims that are typically attached to each of them. His definition of minority group is useful in conceptualizing many of the papers in the volume. The chapter falls into three sections: Section 10.1, which looks at four types of disadvantaged minorities, attempts to distinguish non-Western fundamentalist religious minorities living in the West from other minorities that may experience disadvantage of various kinds in liberal societies; Section 10.2, on religious minorities in the liberal state, explores some of the educational and other difficulties encountered by such religious minorities in more detail, and typical liberal responses; Section 10.3, on rethinking the liberal response, contains some proposals that are designed to meet the educational needs of both the liberal state and the religious minorities at the same time.Less
This is the last of the four essays in Part II of the book on liberalism and traditionalist education; all four are by authors who would like to find ways for the liberal state to honour the self-definitions of traditional cultures and to find ways of avoiding a confrontation with differences. One of the tasks of the book is to separate out different kinds of affiliation and the extent to which the arguments made about cultural recognition can be extended to other objects of affiliation. Mark Halstead’s chapter on schooling (education) and cultural maintenance for religious minorities in the liberal state provides a catalogue of the different types of groups that are to be found in liberal societies, and the different kinds of cultural and educational claims that are typically attached to each of them. His definition of minority group is useful in conceptualizing many of the papers in the volume. The chapter falls into three sections: Section 10.1, which looks at four types of disadvantaged minorities, attempts to distinguish non-Western fundamentalist religious minorities living in the West from other minorities that may experience disadvantage of various kinds in liberal societies; Section 10.2, on religious minorities in the liberal state, explores some of the educational and other difficulties encountered by such religious minorities in more detail, and typical liberal responses; Section 10.3, on rethinking the liberal response, contains some proposals that are designed to meet the educational needs of both the liberal state and the religious minorities at the same time.
