Social Policy In A Changing Society

Provides an introduction to social policy by building a link between theory and policy. This book considers a range of interpretations of changes in society, politics and the economy, and assesses their implications for social welfare. Part One considers conventional models, including Keynesian thought, Marxism, liberalism, conservatism, social democracy and socialism. Part Two turns to new paradigms, including communitarianism, post-Fordism, globalization, postmodernity, the risk society, critical theory, Foucauldian thought and patriarchy. In Part Three, the authors review debates on social, economic and political change. The approach is mainly theoretical, with material drawn from sociology, political theory, economics and public and social administration. Review: This book shows how effectively theory can be used in a textbook to inform social work and social administration students of the assumptions that pervade the policy making and implementation process. . . A very attractive feature of the book is the way it draws on theory from various fields, including political science, economics and sociology. . . Although, the book is written for British students, it will also be useful for students in other countries. It can be effectively used as a supplemental text for students in the United States who are not adequately exposed to theoretical issues and who will benefit from its wider perspective. --Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, Vol. 27, no. 3: September 2000.