Social Quality Theory

This collection sets out the latest research on the concept of ''social quality'', developing its theoretical foundations and applying it to pressing policy issues such as the future of the European Union and sustainable global development.

Social quality thinking emerged from a critique of one-sided policies by breaking through the limitations previously set by purely economistic paradigms. By tracing its expansion and presenting different aspects of social quality theory, this volume provides an overview of a more nuanced approach, which assesses societal progress and introduces proposals that are relevant for policy making. Crucially, important components emerge with research by scholars from Asia, particularly China, eastern Europe, and other regions beyond western Europe, the theory’s place of origin. As this volume shows, this rich diversity of approaches and their cross-national comparisons reveal the increasingly important role of social quality theory for informing political debates on development and sustainability.

This collection sets out the latest research on the concept of 'social quality', developing its theoretical foundations and applying it to pressing policy issues such as the future of the European Union and sustainable global development.

This book brings together leading European social scientists to focus on the essential questions concerning the future of the European Union (EU). The Social Quality of Europe contains the most comprehensive and detailed analysis conducted so far of the relationship between EU economic and social dimensions. it introduces an entirely new concept to European discourse-social quality-which will inspire examination and debate from a unique perspective. This work consists of specially commissioned original chapters-from experts in the fields of economics, law, political science, social policy, and sociology-together with critical commentaries and syntheses focusing on employment, social protection, social exclusion, and provision for older people. it provides a unique source of reference on current economic and social policies in the EU and sets the agenda for a new debate about the quality of life aspired to by European citizens. The book is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the social sciences; policymakers at local, national, and state-of-the-art assessment of European social and economic policies.

From anxieties over work-life balance and entangling technologies, to celebrations of cool jobs and great places to live, quality of life frames the ways we enhance our lives and legitimate social change today. But how does the idea of quality of life envision the greater good, and what gets lost as a result? This book provides the critical framework for understanding the idea’s contexts and tensions that are conspicuously missing in popular discussions, professional activities, and scholarly research on quality of life. With multiple case studies taken across North America and Europe, it provides a sociological perspective on the contradictory ways we talk about and pursue quality of life in relation to technology, consumerism, family, work, public space, rural ways of life, and ultimately the final years of life. Drawing on contemporary and classical social theory, it provides an incisive account of the historical shifts in developed societies over the last half-century that have transformed our views and pursuits of quality of life. Originally a promise to undertake collective effort and pursue social justice at a moment of unprecedented opportunity, quality of life now enshrines a solipsistic ideal with which to accommodate the storms of market forces and political failure.

The chapters in this innovative guide share a common belief that thinking alongside ideas is an integral part of the research process. This book encourages the researcher to think through three key moments of the research process: the production of a research question; fieldwork; and analysis and writing.

This volume connects aspects of personal health, overall well-being, and education to quality of life. It includes discussions of Galen’s and Harvey’s views of the movement of blood in human bodies, and differences in the research traditions of social indicators research and health-related quality of life research. It examines determinants of health and quality of life in a variety of populations, including the residents of the Bella Coola Valley of British Columbia, aboriginal residential school survivors in Canada, and diabetics versus non-diabetics. It describes relations between health survey and patients’ medical chart reviews, the health and quality of life of older people, and the difference between good health and a good life. Other topics explored are student quality of life, comparisons of the quality of life of students, aboriginal and unemployed people, the impact of education on happiness and well-being, and liberal education. In addition, the volume presents Einstein’s views of ethics and science, and unacknowledged authorship in scholarly publications. The final chapter gives a historical review of quality of life research in Canada over the past fifty years.

The field of social capital still lacks a recognized general theory. Accordingly, various and sometimes inappropriate measurements are used for it. Julia Häuberer contributes to filling in this gap and provides progress towards the creation of a formalized social capital theory based on the founding concepts of social capital of Bourdieu (1983) and Coleman (1988), and current concepts of Putnam (2000), Burt (1992) and Lin (2001). The second part of the monograph focuses on the quality of measurements of the more general concept of social capital derived in the first part. Therefore, the telephone survey “Social Relationships among Czech Citizens” conducted as a test-retest experiment is analyzed. This book is valuable reading for academics in Sociology and Political Science.