The Principles of Social Policy

Drake, Robert F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0333763386 ISBN 13: 9780333763384

Publisher: Palgrave, 2001

Beyond their immediate areas of concern (such as education, health or housing) social policies are shaped by prevailing political values and beliefs. These values are made tangible in the form of overarching policy objectives. These may include, for example, the promotion of equality, the securing of justice or the preservation of liberty. This book provides an account of the key principles that have underpinned social policy in Western democracies and shows how they exert a direct effect on the contours of citizenship.

From the Back Cover:

The Principles of Social Policy provides a powerful exposition of policy making in the contemporary nation state. Social policies are shaped by prevailing political beliefs and values and they are made tangible in the form of overarching policy objectives. These may include, for example, the promotion of equality, the securing of justice or the preservation of liberty. In this text the key principles that underpin social policy in Western democracies are identified and scrutinised in clear, jargon-free language.

The aims of this ground breaking text are clearly reflected in its structure. Opening chapters explore the multi-dimensional nature of the values and principles that stand behind political thought. Following this, a discussion of concepts such as equality, justice and freedom reveals the importance of values and principles in shaping the contours of social policy. In conclusion the centrality of the influence of key principles is examined as theoretical ideas introduced earlier in the book are related to the development of policy and practice in real society. This raises questions about the future of social policy and the serious implications for welfare in a fast changing world.

This will be essential reading for students of social policy, applied social studies, politics and other courses concerned with the role of government and the provision of public services.

About the Author:

ROBERT DRAKE is Lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Wales, Swansea, and a fellow in the National Centre for Public Policy. He has published several books and research papers on equal opportunity policy (with Ken Blakemore), the voluntary sector and disability policy, including Understanding Disability Policies (Palgrave).