Social Policy In An Era Of Competition

Welfare states globally have been subjected to reform agendas that have stressed economic competitiveness but how has global competition reshaped welfare states in practice? Providing a new cross-national and international narrative this book captures the complexity of social policy reform process that have taken place over the past 25 years. Drawing on data relating to multiple countries the authors examine global, cross-national and local cases in order to shed light on the impact of international forces on social policy. The book addresses major theoretical debates about the direction of welfare state reform processes across the OECD and beyond, offering empirically rooted analyses of change and new perspectives on the impact of global competition on social policy.

There's no question that globalization and the rise of neoliberal thinking have had a major effect on social policy, from the theoretical to the practical level. But what's less clear is what that effect has been, which this book sets out to address. Fusing the applied, empirical concerns of traditional social policy with the broader theoretical perspectives found in political economy and macrosociology, it analyzes the effects of globalization and builds an integrated agenda for future research and practice in the field.

Welfare states globally have been subjected to reform agendas that have stressed economic competitiveness but how has global competition reshaped welfare states in practice? Providing a new cross-national and international narrative this book captures the complexity of social policy reform process that have taken place over the past 25 years. Drawing on data relating to multiple countries the authors examine global, cross-national and local cases in order to shed light on the impact of international forces on social policy. The book addresses major theoretical debates about the direction of welfare state reform processes across the OECD and beyond, offering empirically rooted analyses of change and new perspectives on the impact of global competition on social policy.

This book provides a novel explanation of widespread social policy expansion in Latin America beginning in the 1990s.

`This primer on the global politics of social policy ... is essential reading for students as well as others seriously interested in improving the human condition. Nuanced and critical, Deacon′s book offers a much needed and constructive guide to the complex supra-national debates over rights, regulation and redistribution impinging on social welfare all over the world′ - Jomo K.S., United Nations Assistant, Secretary-General for Economic Development `This book is very timely and addresses many issues that are en vogue at the moment. It relates social policy studies to other fields such as global governance and development studies and thus opens up new discussions in the subject area′ - Dr Antje Vetterlein, University of Oxford Global Social Policy and Governance offers an authoritative understanding of the way social policies at national and supra-national level are shaped in the context of globalisation. The book: " evaluates national social policies advanced by international organisations. " examines policies addressing global social redistribution, regulation and rights. " highlights the roles of global actors, including INGOs, consultants, think tanks, task forces and global policy advocacy coalitions. " explores the political obstacles to reforms in global social governance, " outlines the growing importance of global social movements. " presents arguments for more effective global and regional social policies. " is illustrated by case studies, further reading sections and a glossary. Global Social Policy and Governance will be an essential text for students of social policy, development studies and international relations. It will also be invaluable reading for those shaping social policies in international organisations and those in social movements seeking to influence them. Bob Deacon is Professor of International Social Policy at the University of Sheffield.

The contributors first analyse recent public-sector initiatives that have altered the Canadian economy and transformed Canadian society. These include monetarist macroeconomic policies, a trade deal with the United States, and the increasing use of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to make regulatory decisions. The contributors then analyse the consequences of these changes for some of Canada's key industries and for Canadian social policy, noting the conservative agenda's effect on workers' incomes, work conditions, social benefits, and the role of the state in the economy. The final chapters explore possible alternatives and the difficult but very real choices economic and social policy makers must make with respect to macroeconomic management, employment, industrial strategy, and the environment. The contributors to this volume are Isabella Bakker, Duncan Cameron, Stephen Clarkson, Marjorie Cohen, Robert Cox, Arthur Donner, Daniel Drache, Colin Duncan, Meric S. Gertler, John Holmes, Jeanne Laux, Rianne Mahon, Michael Mandel, Anthony Masi, Jon Morris, John Myles, Paul Phillips, Abraham Rotstein, Frank Tester, Bruce Wilkinson.