Social Capital, Diversity, and the Welfare State

Social Capital, Diversity, and the Welfare State PDF Author: Fiona Kay
Publisher: UBC Press
ISBN: 077484003X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 367

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Book Description
Social capital is arguably the most critical idea to emerge in the social sciences in the last two decades. Emphasizing the importance of social networks, communication, and the symbolic and material exchanges that strengthen communities, social capital has been the subject of an expansive body of literature. Social Capital, Diversity, and the Welfare State represents a landmark consideration of the diverse meanings, causal foundations, and positive and negative consequences of social capital, with a particular focus on its role in mitigating or enhancing social inequalities. The chapters, written by economists, political scientists, and sociologists, address a range of empirical and theoretical issues. This book is cutting-edge addition to the field that offers fresh insights into the conceptualization, operation, sources, and consequences of social capital in Canadian society.

Social Capital, Diversity, and the Welfare State

Social Capital, Diversity, and the Welfare State PDF Author: Fiona Kay
Publisher: UBC Press
ISBN: 077484003X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 367

Get Book Here

Book Description
Social capital is arguably the most critical idea to emerge in the social sciences in the last two decades. Emphasizing the importance of social networks, communication, and the symbolic and material exchanges that strengthen communities, social capital has been the subject of an expansive body of literature. Social Capital, Diversity, and the Welfare State represents a landmark consideration of the diverse meanings, causal foundations, and positive and negative consequences of social capital, with a particular focus on its role in mitigating or enhancing social inequalities. The chapters, written by economists, political scientists, and sociologists, address a range of empirical and theoretical issues. This book is cutting-edge addition to the field that offers fresh insights into the conceptualization, operation, sources, and consequences of social capital in Canadian society.

Welfare State, Universalism and Diversity

Welfare State, Universalism and Diversity PDF Author: Anneli Anttonen
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1849805946
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 209

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Book Description
'This book is a most timely academic intervention. The concept of universalism is central to social policy and welfare state development yet it is rarely explored with such attention to its time and place specificities as in this book. Nordic and British authors investigate the different dimensions and meanings of universalism and the challenges it has faced. Buffeted by markets and choice on the one side and diversity on the other, can universalism survive? To find out, read on...' - Fiona Williams, University of Leeds, UK 'Universalism in social policy is politically challenged and normatively contested. This book examines how the principle of universalism can be understood and how it has been put into practice in various national contexts. Universalism is contrasted with the idea of diversity which has gained strength as a result of growing affluent middle classes and of multiculturalism in highly developed welfare states. The book deals with varieties of universalism and inspires a re-thinking of the normative basis of the welfare state.' - Stein Kuhnle, University of Bergen, Norway and Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, Germany Welfare State, Universalism and Diversity is a thought-provoking book dealing with key ideas, values and principles of social policies and asking what exactly is meant by universal benefits and policies? Is the time of post-war universalism over? Are universalism and diversity contradictory policy and theory framings? Well-known scholars from different countries and fields of expertise provide a historically informative and comprehensive view on the making of universal social policies. Universalism is defined and implemented differently in the British and Scandinavian social policies. Service universalism is different from universalism in pensions. The book underlines the multiple and transformative nature of universalism and the challenge of diversity. There certainly is need for a greater diversity in meeting citizen's needs. Yet, universalism remains a principle essential for planning and implementing sustainable and legitimate policies in times characterized by complex interdependences and contradictory political aims. This impressive book is an attempt to untangle the multiple meanings of universalism and clarify the concept's relevance to contemporary policy debates. It will prove invaluable for students, researchers and practitioners in social policy, public policy, social administration, social welfare, social history, social work, sociology and political sciences. Policymakers and administrators involved with social and public policies, social services, social welfare, and social work will also find this book groundbreaking.

Building Social Capital

Building Social Capital PDF Author: Mai Wann
Publisher: Institute for Public Policy Research
ISBN: 9781872452999
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 140

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Book Description
Explores the scope, value and limitations of self help groups, and identifies key issues for policy-makers.

Trust beyond Borders

Trust beyond Borders PDF Author: Markus M. L. Crepaz
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
ISBN: 0472022547
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 322

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Book Description
Will immigration undermine the welfare state? Trust beyond Borders draws on public opinion data and case studies of Germany, Sweden, and the United States to document the influence of immigration and diversity on trust, reciprocity, and public support for welfare programs. Markus M. L. Crepaz demonstrates that we are, at least in some cases, capable of trusting beyond borders: of expressing faith in our fellow humans and extending help without regard for political classifications. In Europe, the welfare state developed under conditions of relative homogeneity that fostered high levels of trust among citizens, while in America anxiety about immigration and diversity predated the emergence of a social safety net. Looking at our new era of global migration, Crepaz traces the renewed debate about "us" versus "them" on both sides of the Atlantic and asks how it will affect the public commitment to social welfare. Drawing on the literatures on immigration, identity, social trust, and the welfare state, Trust beyond Borders presents a novel analysis of immigration's challenge to the welfare state and a persuasive exploration of the policies that may yet preserve it. "Crepaz contributes much to our knowledge about the link between immigration and social welfare, certainly one of the central issues in current national and international politics." ---Stuart Soroka, Associate Professor of Political Science and William Dawson Scholar, McGill University "Finally! A book that challenges the growing view that ethnic diversity is the enemy of social solidarity. It addresses an issue of intense debate in Western nations; it takes dead aim at the theoretical issues at the center of the controversy; it deploys an impressive array of empirical evidence; and its conclusions represent a powerful corrective to the current drift of opinion. Trust beyond Borders will rank among the very best books in the field." ---Keith Banting, Queen's Research Chair in Public Policy, Queen's University "Do mass immigration and ethnic diversity threaten popular support for the welfare state? Trust beyond Borders answers no. Marshaling an impressive array of comparative opinion data, Crepaz shows that countries with high levels of social trust and universal welfare state arrangements can avoid the development of the welfare chauvinism that typically accompanies diversity." ---Gary Freeman, Professor and Department Chair, Department of Government, University of Texas at Austin Markus M. L. Crepaz is Professor in the Department of International Affairs at the University of Georgia and Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Global Issues (GLOBIS).

Social Capital and Health Inequality in European Welfare States

Social Capital and Health Inequality in European Welfare States PDF Author: M. Rostila
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1137305665
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 335

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Book Description
Drawing on cross-national European data from the European Social Survey as well as Swedish national survey data and registers, this book investigates social capital in relation to health and health inequalities in European welfare states.

Racial Diversity and Social Capital

Racial Diversity and Social Capital PDF Author: Rodney E. Hero
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139465074
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 185

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Book Description
Race and racial diversity are important aspects of America and have been shown to substantially affect social relations and the political system, often in ways inconsistent with the values of equality. However, greater civic association and a general sense of community, embodied in the concept of social capital, are said to have tremendous beneficial effects and profoundly influence American society. This 2007 study juxtaposes and critically assesses two bodies of research that have reached different conclusions on these issues. Is America's legacy of racial inequality an 'evil twin' of the benefits of social capital? By analysing the social outcomes for racial minorities, in addition to other dimensions of American politics, the author shows that the impact of racial diversity consistently outweighs that of social capital.

Social Justice, Legitimacy and the Welfare State

Social Justice, Legitimacy and the Welfare State PDF Author: Benjamin Veghte
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1351899457
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 283

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Book Description
Drawing together leading international experts such as Knut Halvorsen, Robert Y. Shapiro, Stefan Svallfors and Wim van Oorschot, this volume addresses issues of justice and legitimacy in the context of welfare state transformation. The contributors demonstrate that the Western welfare state is not at risk of losing support or encountering fundamental opposition, but does face serious challenges including growing social and ethnic diversity, new social risks, fiscal constraints and contested notions of justice. The volume focuses on four main aspects: attitude formation in cross-national perspective, the just distribution of burdens and benefits, political factors mediating the effects of social attitudes on public policy and challenges to the welfare state stemming from immigration and ethnic diversity. Providing a comparative perspective on the issue, Social Justice, Legitimacy and the Welfare State makes a significant contribution to the literature on the public standing of the welfare state.

Federalism and the Welfare State in a Multicultural World

Federalism and the Welfare State in a Multicultural World PDF Author: Elizabeth Goodyear-Grant
Publisher: McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP
ISBN: 1553395395
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 363

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Book Description
Until the 1990s social policy played an integrative role in Canada, providing a counter-narrative to claims that federalism and diversity undermine the potential of social policy. Today, however, the Canadian model is under strain, reflecting changes in both the welfare state and the immigration-citizenship-multiculturalism regime. Federalism and the Welfare State in a Multicultural World illustrates that there are clear trends that, if unchecked, may exacerbate rather than overcome important social cleavages. The editors argue that we are at a crucial moment to re-evaluate the role of social policy in a federal state and a multicultural society, and if federalism and diversity challenge traditional models of the nation-building function of social policy, they also open up new pathways for social policy to overcome social divisions. Complacency about, or naive celebration of, the Canadian model is unwarranted, but it is premature to conclude that the model is irredeemably broken, or that all the developments are centrifugal rather than centripetal. Social policy is integral to mitigating divisions of class, region, language, race, and ethnicity, and its underlying values of solidarity and risk-sharing also make it a critical mechanism for nation-building. Whether social policy actually accomplishes these goals is variable and contested. The essays in this volume provide some timely answers.

The Future of the Welfare State

The Future of the Welfare State PDF Author: Heikki Ervasti
Publisher: Edward Elgar Pub
ISBN: 9781781001264
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 267

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Book Description
'This volume represents an important addition to existing research on welfare attitudes. A particular highlight is the extensive and original application of new cross-national survey data from the European Social Survey. the volume provides new substantial insights into the macro and micro level factors that shape welfare attitudes. I highly recommend this volume to anyone interested in welfare attitudes research.' - Mads Meier Jæger, Aarhus University, Denmark

The Welfare State in Post-Industrial Society

The Welfare State in Post-Industrial Society PDF Author: Jason L. Powell
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1441900667
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 373

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Book Description
In recent years, major social forces such as: ageing populations, social trends, migration patterns, and the globalization of economies, have reshaped social welfare policies and practices across the globe. Multinational corporations, NGOs, and other international organizations have begun to influence social policy at a national and local level. Among the many ramifications of these changes is that globalizing influences may hinder the ability of individual nation-states to effect policies that are beneficial to them on a local level. With contributions from thirteen countries worldwide, this collected work represents the first major comparative analysis on the effect of globalization on the international welfare state. The Welfare State in Post-Industrial Society is divided into two major sections: the first draws from a number of leading social welfare researchers from diverse countries who point to the nation-state as case studies; highlighting how it goes about establishing and revising social welfare provisions. The second portion of the volume then moves to a more global perspective in its analysis and questioning of the impact of globalization on citizenship, ageing and marketization. The Welfare State in Post-Industrial Society seeks to encourage debate about the implications of the most pressing social welfare issues in nation-states, and integrate analyses of policy and practice in particular countries struggling to provide social welfare support for their needy populations.