Adjustment And Social Sector Restructuring

Social policy in developing countries has been substantially affected in recent years by economic crisis and structural adjustment, and perhaps more importantly, by the ascendance of neo-liberal ideology. By the late 1980s, the adverse effects of adjustment had become clear, and the resulting political opposition led many governments and their external supporters to design programmes meant to 'mitigate the social costs' of adjustment. The most visible of these are the 'social fund' or 'safety net' measures intended not only to address the social impacts of adjustment, but also to improve their social and political acceptability. In addition, they are seen by some as providing a model for new, more efficient and effective means of providing social service. This volume examines the goals, assumptions, impacts and possible long-term outcomes of social policy trends in developing countries.

In recent years, the role of global institutions such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank has never been more important to the lives of individuals throughout the world. This edited book provides critical perspectives on the role of these institutions and how they use their policies, procedures and practices to manage global political, socio-economic, legal and environmental affairs. In contrast to previously published books on this subject, Global Governance is organized thematically rather than by institution. Each chapter examines core issues such as labour, finance, the environment, health, culture, gender, civil society, poverty and development. It should be essential reading for undergraduate students of international politics, international political economy and international economics.

A Critical Humanitarian Intervention Approach explores ways of reconceptualising security in terms of Ken Booth's Theory of World Security. This approach, focusing on human development more broadly can improve upon the theoretical and practical limitations of solidarist theories on the subject of humanitarian intervention.

This book illustrates why both academic research and policy thinking need to factor-in gender hierarchies and structures if they are to address some of the key challenges of contemporary societies: the widespread informality and insecurity of paid work and the crisis of care.

Providing a state of the art overview, this comprehensive Handbook is an essential introduction to the subject of Gender and Social Policy. Bringing together original contributions and research from leading researchers it covers the theoretical perspectives of the field, the central policy terrain of gender inequalities of income, employment and care, and family policy. Examining gender and social policy at both the regional and national level, the Handbook is an excellent resource for advanced students and scholars of sociology, political science, women’s studies, policy studies as well as practitioners seeking to understand how gender shapes the contours of social policy and politics.

First published in 1997. An introduction to the theory and practices of development in the third world, tracing the evolution of development theory over 40 years, and examining why so many of the benefits of development are still not shared by millions.

* Details the effects of structural adjustment policies imposed on agriculture, and their effect on gender relations within rural areas in the developing world * Empirically grounded case studies from India, Mexico, South Africa, Uganda, and Vietnam Over the past ten years neoliberal policy shifts in rural development across the globe have reduced the role of government, consigning the costs of services to the rural poor themselves. But what are the gender effects of this change? The contributors unravel the ways in which economic and social structures, institutions, and policy outcomes are mediated by gender as a social relationship, and consider the degree to which a "diversified livelihoods strategy," touted as the means by which rural families are struggling to improve their standard of living, accurately describes what is taking place on the ground.