European University Institute Library

The dynamics of social welfare policy, Joel Blau with Mimi Abramovitz

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrationscharts

index present

non fiction

The dynamics of social welfare policy

bibliography

908334871

Joel Blau with Mimi Abramovitz

The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy uses the lens of an innovative policy model and an emphasis on social change to break new ground in social welfare policy texts. Starting from the explicit premise that every kind of social work practice embodies a social policy, the book stresses that policy knowledge enables social workers to help clients as well as to help themselves. Drawing on this awareness, the text then makes the standard social welfare policy material come alive by asking two new questions: 1) what factors trigger social change in these social policies?; and 2) how do these factors affect the social policies that influence what social workers actually do? To answer these questions, it develops a five-part policy model, which shows, through full chapters on each subject, how economics, politics, ideology, social movements, and the history of social welfare define social welfare policy --, Provided by Publisher

PART I Introducing Social Welfare Policy 1 Introduction: Social Problems, Social Policy, Social Change How Are Social Problems Constructed? Who Gets to Define a Social Problem? Social Policy and Social Work Theories of Social Change Change and Social Welfare Policy: A Policy Model The Triggers of Social Change: An Overview Conclusion 2 Definition and Functions of Social Welfare Policy: Setting the Stage for Social Change Mimi Abramovitz What Is Social Welfare Policy? Broadening the Definition of Social Welfare Policy Deepening the Definition of Social Welfare Policy Competing Functions of Social Welfare Policy Overview of Major Social Welfare Programs Organizing Principles: Who Benefits from Universal or Selective Provision? PART II The Policy Model 3 The Economy and Social Welfare The Words We Use The Structure of the Economy Microeconomics Measuring the Functioning of the Economy The Terms and Tools of Economic Policy Social Welfare and the Economy in Historical Context Production for Profit versus Production for Need The Economy versus Social Welfare? Downsizing and Outsourcing Trade Unions The Minimum Wage Enron and the Corporate Scandals A New Economic Crisis 4 The Politics of Social Welfare Policy Political Science Theories: Decision Making, Definitions of Democracy, and Majority Rule Definitions of Democracy The American System of Government: Federalism U.S. Government: Its Distinctive Characteristics Divided Government The Political Functions of Social Welfare The Implications for Social Welfare Policy 5 Ideological Perspectives and Conflicts Mimi Abramovitz What Is Ideology? Social Welfare Ideology and Social Change The Ideology of Human Nature The General Welfare: Individuals in Society The Ideology of the Definition of Need The Ideology of the Role of the Government The Ideology of Work and the Work Ethic The Ideology of Family The Ideology of Racial Inequality Ideologies of Professionalism 6 Social Movements and Social Change Mimi Abramovitz Ways of Becoming Active Social Movements, Contradictions, and Social Change Theories of Social Movements From Theory to Practice: Using Ideology When Seeking Social Change 7 Social Welfare History in the United States The Ambiguities of U.S. Social Welfare History What the British Brought Social Welfare in the Colonies (1619-1783) Independence to the End of the Civil War (1783-1865) The End of the Civil War to the Progressive Era (1865-1900) The Progressive Era to the New Deal (1900-1932) The New Deal to World War II (1933-1945) Post-World War II to the Great Society (1946-1968) 1969-2008: The Conservative Response A New, New Deal? 2009-Present The Historical Patterns PART III Policy Analyses: Applying the Policy Model 8 Income Support: Programs and Policies Social Change Triggers Social Security Disability Insurance Supplemental Security Income Unemployment Insurance Benefits Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Workers' Compensation Earned Income Tax Credit General Assistance Programs Individual Development Accounts The Basic Income Grant Economics Politics Ideology Social Movements History 9 Jobs and Job Training: Programs and Policies The Context for Employment Policy Classifying Federal Job Programs Employment Training Programs: What Do We Know? Economics The Politics of Employment Programs Ideology Social Movements History 10 Housing: Programs and Policies The Context for Housing Policy Social Change Triggers The Housing Bubble Housing Programs Economics Politics Ideology Social Movements History Conclusion 11 Health Care: Programs and Policies Social Change Triggers Social Programs The Inadequacies of the U.S. Health Care System Economics Politics Ideology Social Movements History 12 Food and Hunger: Programs and Policies Definition Social Change Triggers Food Programs Classifying Food Programs: Who, What, to Whom, and at Whose Expense Economics Politics Ideology Social Movements History Conclusion PART IV Conclusions 13 If You Want to Analyze a Policy.