Examining the interplay between government and society, this book delves into the responsibilities of the state regarding social welfare services. It presents various perspectives on how government should address the needs of its citizens in today's context, highlighting the complexities and debates surrounding public welfare and state intervention.
The book explores the British welfare state, focusing on its five core services: health, housing, social security, education, and personal social services, including social care and child protection. It examines the historical development and interconnections of these services, providing insight into their impact on society and the challenges they face in contemporary Britain. Through this analysis, it aims to deepen the understanding of welfare policies and their significance in addressing social needs.
This book examines poverty in the context of the economy, society and the political community, considering how states can respond to issues of inequality, exclusion and powerlessness. Drawing on examples in both rich and poor countries, this is an accessible contribution to the debate about the nature of poverty and responses to it.
Exploring collectivism within political discourse, Paul Spicker provides a methodical examination of its implications for social policy. He analyzes the value of collectivism, offering insights that complement his previous work on individualism. Through a dispassionate lens, the author delves into the nuances of collectivism, aiming to enrich the understanding of its role and significance in contemporary political discussions.
This provocative short book is a valuable introduction to social security in Britain and the potential for its reform.
This book is a concise explanation of what welfare is, and why it is important. With examples from the UK, Europe, North America and Australia the book explores how the principles of welfare are applied across the world.
This fully revised, updated and extended edition of a bestselling social policy textbook is extensively reworked and adapted to meet the needs of its international readership. Laying out the architecture of social policy as a field of study, it provides a sense of the scope, range and purpose of the subject.
Focusing on the concept of individualism, the book explores its application to policy issues, emphasizing rights, human dignity, shared interests, and social protection. It critiques various individualist approaches and advocates for a balanced understanding that respects both individual rights and the collective good.
This introduction provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the benefit system in Britain, designed to help readers understand its practical applications. It simplifies complex concepts and offers insights into navigating the system effectively, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to comprehend the intricacies of British welfare benefits.
This book presents new translations of the earliest known studies in Social Policy. Juan-Luis Vives’s De Subventione Pauperum (On the Relief of the Poor) is an academic report on the organisation of social welfare, prepared for the senate of Bruges and published in 1526. Forma Subventionis Pauperum (The government of poor relief), published in 1531, is an anonymous evaluation report. It reviews the system of poor relief in the city of Ypres, five years after the policy was introduced. These reports lay out methods and approaches for the delivery of social services within their cities. Unemployed people should be found work or helped to start a business. People with disabilities or mental illness should be treated seriously and recognised for what they can do. Migrants should be helped, even if it is not possible to assist everyone. Special efforts should be made to help people who are reluctant or too proud to claim. Services have to be properly organised, records have to be kept and the use of funds has to be publicly accountable and subject to audit. The sophistication of the arguments developed in these studies will surprise many readers. They deserve to be read by everyone with an interest in social policy or public administration.