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10 Conclusion: analyses in the mixed economy of welfare and the social division of welfare Martin Powell Overview This chapter draws together some of the main issues arising from the book. It gives a brief overview of the welfare mix over time and space. It then focuses on the changing welfare mix under the New Labour, Coalition and Conservative governments, the forgotten dimensions of finance and regulation, the importance of a ‘three-dimensional’ mixed economy of welfare (MEW), the links between the MEW and other debates, and the impact of the MEW and
17 2 The Social Division of Welfare Some Reflections on the Search for Equity1 I Some students of social policy see the development of ‘The Wel fare State’ in historical perspective as part of a broad, ascending road of social betterment provided for the working classes since the nineteenth century and achieving its goal in our time. This interpretation of change as a process of unilinear progression in collective benevolence for these classes led to the belief that in the year 1948 ‘The Welfare State’ was established. Since then, successive Governments
1 Introduction: the mixed economy of welfare and the social division of welfare Martin Powell Overview This chapter introduces the mixed economy of welfare (MEW) and the social division of welfare (SDW). It points out that these have varied over time and space. It outlines the components of the MEW – state, market, voluntary and informal – and of the SDW – statutory, occupational and fiscal. While the MEW has largely been considered from a one-dimensional view (provision), it is vital to move to a three-dimensional view which also considers finance and
49 THREE Who benefits from welfare? The social division of welfare Social division of welfare: key points • The social division of welfare (SDW) challenges conventional ideas of what counts as a ‘welfare’ service. • A simple division between public and private welfare services is misleading. • The SDW identifies three forms of welfare provision: public, fiscal and occupational. • Recognising the different ways in which welfare is provided has implications for understanding who finances and uses welfare. • Domestic welfare, largely provided unpaid by women
323© The Policy Press, 2012 • ISSN 0305 5736 Key words: social policy reform • social stratification • public opinion • policy knowledge Policy & Politics vol 40 no 3 • 323-46 (2012) • http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/030557312X626631 The social division of welfare knowledge: policy stratification and perceptions of welfare reform in Australia Shaun Wilson, Gabrielle Meagher1 and Kerstin Hermes During its period in office (1996–2007), the Liberal–National coalition government increased stratification in the Australian welfare system by differentiating the norms and
59 The social division of welfare: Some reflections on the search for equity Some students of social policy see the development of the welfare state in historical perspective as part of a broad, ascending road of social betterment provided for the working classes since the 19th century and achieving its goal in our time. This interpretation of change as a process of unilinear progression in collective benevolence for these classes led to the belief that in the year 1948 the ‘welfare state’ was established. Since then, successive governments have busied
As the state withdraws from welfare provision, the mixed economy of welfare – involving private, voluntary and informal sectors – has become ever more important. This second edition of Powell’s acclaimed textbook on the subject brings together a wealth of respected contributors. New features of this revised edition include:
• An updated perspective on the mixed economy of welfare (MEW) and social division of welfare (SDW) in the context of UK Coalition and Conservative governments
• A conceptual framework that links the MEW and SDW with debates on topics of major current interest such as ‘Open Public Services’, ‘Big Society’, Any Qualified Provider’, Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and ‘Public Private Partnerships’ (PPP)
Containing helpful features such as summaries, questions for discussion, further reading suggestions and electronic resources, this will be a valuable introductory resource for students of social policy, social welfare and social work at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
We are all approaching retirement but what should we expect? For some, it is a happy prospect. Others approach retirement knowing they face hardship and social exclusion. Amid alarming predictions of a ‘demographic time bomb’, governments and the private pensions industry urge everyone to plan and save now, but admit that there are risks.
But will the pension funds deliver on their promises? Will the rich increasingly retire early but the poor work for longer? How reliable are state pension schemes? Do the USA, Sweden, or Australia have a ‘better’ approach to retirement pensions than the UK?
Approaching retirement tackles these and many other questions from a number of sociological perspectives. Using the idea of the social division of welfare as a template, different approaches to retirement pensions policy are assessed and their strengths and weaknesses clearly presented.
This book will be an invaluable resource for social science students at all levels and for those who teach them. Economists and pension practitioners will also find food for thought here.
Richard Titmuss (1907-1973) was a pioneer in the field of social administration (now social policy) and this reissued classic contains a selection of his most famous writing on social issues. It covers subjects ranging from the position of women in society, changes in family life, and the social effects of industrialisation, to the problems of an ageing population, pensions, social security and taxation policy, and the development of the national health service. This collection contains one of Titmuss’s most original contributions to the analysis of welfare policy – his reflections on ‘The social division of welfare’. The book stands the test of time as representative of his thinking, and as an inspiration to those who wrestle with the complex issues of our welfare state.
In this distinctive introduction Stephen Sinclair illuminates the subject of Social Policy by showing readers how Social Policy analysts think about welfare issues and policies.
From what influences the decision to have children to how everyday terms such as ‘youth crime’ or ‘poverty’ reveal the structural processes shaping society, the book illustrates the insights which Social Policy analysis offers to understanding the social world and its problems.
Written by an academic with extensive experience of teaching Social Policy analysis to new audiences, the book provides a stimulating introduction to the study of the factors and polices shaping wellbeing. Each chapter includes boxed summaries, applied examples illustrating key issues, and bullet points clarifying key concepts and theories.
