Publisher Description

The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy uses the lens of an innovative policy model and an emphasis on social change to break new ground in social welfare policy texts. Starting from the explicit premise that every kind of social work practice embodies a social policy, the book stresses that policy knowledge enables social workers to help clients as well as to help themselves. Drawing on this awareness, the text then makes the standard social welfare policymaterial come alive by asking two new questions: 1) what factors trigger social change in these social policies?; and 2) how do these factors affect the social policies that influence what social workersactually do? To answer these questions, it develops a five-part policy model, which shows, through full chapters on each subject, how economics, politics, ideology, social movements, and the history of social welfare define social welfare policy.

Table of Contents

PART I Introducing Social Welfare Policy1 Introduction: Social Problems, Social Policy, Social ChangeHow Are Social Problems Constructed?Who Gets to Define a Social Problem?Social Policy and Social WorkTheories of Social ChangeChange and Social Welfare Policy: A Policy ModelThe Triggers of Social Change: An OverviewConclusion2 Definition and Functions of Social Welfare Policy: Setting the Stage for Social Change Mimi AbramovitzWhat Is Social Welfare Policy?Broadening the Definition of Social Welfare PolicyDeepening the Definition of Social Welfare PolicyCompeting Functions of Social Welfare PolicyOverview of Major Social Welfare ProgramsOrganizing Principles: Who Benefits from Universal or Selective Provision?PART II The Policy Model3 The Economy and Social WelfareThe Words We UseThe Structure of the EconomyMicroeconomicsMeasuring the Functioning of the EconomyThe Terms and Tools of Economic PolicySocial Welfare and the Economy in Historical ContextProduction for Profit versus Production for NeedThe Economy versus Social Welfare?Downsizing and OutsourcingTrade UnionsThe Minimum WageEnron and the Corporate ScandalsA New Economic Crisis4 The Politics of Social Welfare PolicyPolitical Science Theories: Decision Making, Definitions of Democracy, and Majority RuleDefinitions of DemocracyThe American System of Government: FederalismU.S. Government: Its Distinctive CharacteristicsDivided GovernmentThe Political Functions of Social WelfareThe Implications for Social Welfare Policy5 Ideological Perspectives and Conflicts Mimi AbramovitzWhat Is Ideology?Social Welfare Ideology and Social ChangeThe Ideology of Human NatureThe General Welfare: Individuals in SocietyThe Ideology of the Definition of NeedThe Ideology of the Role of the GovernmentThe Ideology of Work and the Work EthicThe Ideology of FamilyThe Ideology of Racial InequalityIdeologies of Professionalism6 Social Movements and Social Change Mimi AbramovitzWays of Becoming ActiveSocial Movements, Contradictions, and Social ChangeTheories of Social MovementsFrom Theory to Practice: Using Ideology When Seeking Social Change7 Social Welfare History in the United StatesThe Ambiguities of U.S. Social Welfare HistoryWhat the British BroughtSocial Welfare in the Colonies (1619-1783)Independence to the End of the Civil War (1783-1865)The End of the Civil War to the Progressive Era (1865-1900)The Progressive Era to the New Deal (1900-1932)The New Deal to World War II (1933-1945)Post-World War II to the Great Society (1946-1968)1969-2008: The Conservative ResponseA New, New Deal? 2009-PresentThe Historical PatternsPART III Policy Analyses: Applying the Policy Model8 Income Support: Programs and PoliciesSocial Change TriggersSocial SecurityDisability InsuranceSupplemental Security IncomeUnemployment Insurance BenefitsTemporary Assistance for Needy FamiliesWorkers' CompensationEarned Income Tax CreditGeneral Assistance ProgramsIndividual Development AccountsThe Basic Income GrantEconomicsPoliticsIdeologySocial MovementsHistory9 Jobs and Job Training: Programs and PoliciesThe Context for Employment PolicyClassifying Federal Job ProgramsEmployment Training Programs: What Do We Know?EconomicsThe Politics of Employment ProgramsIdeologySocial MovementsHistory10 Housing: Programs and PoliciesThe Context for Housing PolicySocial Change TriggersThe Housing BubbleHousing ProgramsEconomicsPoliticsIdeologySocial MovementsHistoryConclusion11 Health Care: Programs and PoliciesSocial Change TriggersSocial ProgramsThe Inadequacies of the U.S. Health Care SystemEconomicsPoliticsIdeologySocial MovementsHistory12 Food and Hunger: Programs and PoliciesDefinitionSocial Change TriggersFood ProgramsClassifying Food Programs: Who, What, to Whom, and at Whose ExpenseEconomicsPoliticsIdeologySocial MovementsHistoryConclusionPART IV Conclusions13 If You Want to Analyze a Policy...NotesFigure CreditsIndex

Review

"A very readable and comprehensive book that brings a refreshingly new approach to the field by stressing the ever-changing nature of social welfare policy and the need for students to understand the way social policy is shaped by history, ideology, economics, politics, and social movements. This excellent book offers important and challenging insights and deserves to be widely read."-James Midgley, Harry & Riva Specht Professor of Public Social Services and Dean, School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley
"I really appreciate this text because it facilitates understanding of the many factors that often complicate social policy in real life experiences. It gives students the tools for questioning and challenging our social welfare practices and approaches as we encounter changing social conditions. Students love it because they are able to recognize key aspects of the policy framework in their personal stories and in the fabric of every day life."--CarolAnn Dan
"A very readable and comprehensive book that brings a refreshingly new approach to the field by stressing the ever-changing nature of social welfare policy and the need for students to understand the way social policy is shaped by history, ideology, economics, politics, and social movements. This excellent book offers important and challenging insights and deserves to be widely read."-James Midgley, Harry & Riva Specht Professor of Public Social Services and Dean, School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley
"I really appreciate this text because it facilitates understanding of the many factors that often complicate social policy in real life experiences. It gives students the tools for questioning and challenging our social welfare practices and approaches as we encounter changing social conditions. Students love it because they are able to recognize key aspects of the policy framework in their personal stories and in the fabric of every day life."--CarolAnn Daniel, Ph.D, Brooklyn College
"A lucid and thoughtful presentation of the dynamic aspects of social welfare policy for students of social work and related human servicesunique and proactive."-Paula Allen-Meares, The Norma Radin Collegiate Professor of Social Work and Professor of Education, and Dean, School of Social Work, University of Michigan
"This text brings to life the texture and pulse of decisions and processes that help determine who will eat steadily, find quality shelter, stay employed, afford transportation, secure child care, and enjoy a livable income. It will serve graduate and undergraduate students for years to come."-Barbara Levy Simon, Associate Professor of Social Work, Columbia University
"A welcome departure from most social policy texts that prepares students to analyze social issues and to construct strategies for changing crucial social welfare policiesa novel and effective approach."-Josefina Figueira-McDonough, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Justice Studies and Social Work, Arizona State University
"Blau and Abramovitz have given us the great gift of their many combined years of professional experience and advocacy for the poor. You don't have to be a social work student to profit from their clarity and insights; I, for one, will be referring to this book for years to come."-Barbara Ehrenreich, author of Nickle and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America
"An accessible, readable, and stimulating approach to social welfare policy that will inform, challenge, and motivate both undergraduate and graduate students. New and exciting, this well-researched and organized text will help students master the intricacies of social welfare policy and became policy-sensitive practitioners."--Irwin Nesoff, DSW, Associate Professor and Assistant Chairperson, Social Work Department (BSW), Kean University


"A very readable and comprehensive book that brings a refreshingly new approach to the field by stressing the ever-changing nature of social welfare policy and the need for students to understand the way social policy is shaped by history, ideology, economics, politics, and social movements. This
excellent book offers important and challenging insights and deserves to be widely read."-James Midgley, Harry & Riva Specht Professor of Public Social Services and Dean, School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley
"I really appreciate this text because it facilitates understanding of the many factors that often complicate social policy in real life experiences. It gives students the tools for questioning and challenging our social welfare practices and approaches as we encounter changing social conditions.
Students love it because they are able to recognize key aspects of the policy framework in their personal stories and in the fabric of every day life."--CarolAnn Daniel, Ph.D, Brooklyn College
"A lucid and thoughtful presentation of the dynamic aspects of social welfare policy for students of social work and related human servicesunique and proactive."-Paula Allen-Meares, The Norma Radin Collegiate Professor of Social Work and Professor of Education, and Dean, School of Social Work,
University of Michigan
"This text brings to life the texture and pulse of decisions and processes that help determine who will eat steadily, find quality shelter, stay employed, afford transportation, secure child care, and enjoy a livable income. It will serve graduate and undergraduate students for yearsto
come."-Barbara Levy Simon, Associate Professor of Social Work, Columbia University
"A welcome departure from most social policy texts that prepares students to analyze social issues and to construct strategies for changing crucial social welfare policiesa novel and effective approach."-Josefina Figueira-McDonough, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Justice Studies and Social Work, Arizona
State University
"Blau and Abramovitz have given us the great gift of their many combined years of professional experience and advocacy for the poor. You don't have to be a social work student to profit from their clarity and insights; I, for one, will be referring to this book for years to come."-Barbara
Ehrenreich, author of Nickle and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America
"An accessible, readable, and stimulating approach to social welfare policy that will inform, challenge, and motivate both undergraduate and graduate students. New and exciting, this well-researched and organized text will help students master the intricacies of social welfare policy and became
policy-sensitive practitioners."--Irwin Nesoff, DSW, Associate Professor and Assistant Chairperson, Social Work Department (BSW), Kean University

"A very readable and comprehensive book that brings a refreshingly new approach to the field by stressing the ever-changing nature of social welfare policy and the need for students to understand the way social policy is shaped by history, ideology, economics, politics, and social movements. This
excellent book offers important and challenging insights and deserves to be widely read."-James Midgley, Harry & Riva Specht Professor of Public Social Services and Dean, School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley
"I really appreciate this text because it facilitates understanding of the many factors that often complicate social policy in real life experiences. It gives students the tools for questioning and challenging our social welfare practices and approaches as we encounter changing social conditions.
Students love it because they are able to recognize key aspects of the policy framework in their personal stories and in the fabric of every day life."--CarolAnn Daniel, Ph.D, Brooklyn College
"A lucid and thoughtful presentation of the dynamic aspects of social welfare policy for students of social work and related human servicesunique and proactive."-Paula Allen-Meares, The Norma Radin Collegiate Professor of Social Work and Professor of Education, and Dean, School of Social Work,
University of Michigan
"This text brings to life the texture and pulse of decisions and processes that help determine who will eat steadily, find quality shelter, stay employed, afford transportation, secure child care, and enjoy a livable income. It will serve graduate and undergraduate students for years to
come."-Barbara Levy Simon, Associate Professor of Social Work, Columbia University
"A welcome departure from most social policy texts that prepares students to analyze social issues and to construct strategies for changing crucial social welfare policiesa novel and effective approach."-Josefina Figueira-McDonough, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Justice Studies and Social Work, Arizona
State University
"Blau and Abramovitz have given us the great gift of their many combined years of professional experience and advocacy for the poor. You don't have to be a social work student to profit from their clarity and insights; I, for one, will be referring to this book for years to come."-Barbara
Ehrenreich, author of Nickle and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America
"An accessible, readable, and stimulating approach to social welfare policy that will inform, challenge, and motivate both undergraduate and graduate students. New and exciting, this well-researched and organized text will help students master the intricacies of social welfare policy and became
policy-sensitive practitioners."--Irwin Nesoff, DSW, Associate Professor and Assistant Chairperson, Social Work Department (BSW), Kean University

Long Description

The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy uses the lens of an innovative policy model and an emphasis on social change to break new ground in social welfare policy texts. Starting from the explicit premise that every kind of social work practice embodies a social policy, the book stresses that policy knowledge enables social workers to help clients as well as to help themselves. Drawing on this awareness, the text then makes the standard social welfare policy
material come alive by asking two new questions: 1) what factors trigger social change in these social policies?; and 2) how do these factors affect the social policies that influence what social workers actually do? To answer these questions, it develops a five-part policy model, which shows, through full
chapters on each subject, how economics, politics, ideology, social movements, and the history of social welfare define social welfare policy.

Review Quote

"A very readable and comprehensive book that brings a refreshingly new approach to the field by stressing the ever-changing nature of social welfare policy and the need for students to understand the way social policy is shaped by history, ideology, economics, politics, and social movements. This excellent book offers important and challenging insights and deserves to be widely read."-James Midgley, Harry & Riva Specht Professor of Public Social Services and Dean, School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley "I really appreciate this text because it facilitates understanding of the many factors that often complicate social policy in real life experiences. It gives students the tools for questioning and challenging our social welfare practices and approaches as we encounter changing social conditions. Students love it because they are able to recognize key aspects of the policy framework in their personal stories and in the fabric of every day life."--CarolAnn Daniel, Ph.D, Brooklyn College "A lucid and thoughtful presentation of the dynamic aspects of social welfare policy for students of social work and related human servicesunique and proactive."-Paula Allen-Meares, The Norma Radin Collegiate Professor of Social Work and Professor of Education, and Dean, School of Social Work, University of Michigan "This text brings to life the texture and pulse of decisions and processes that help determine who will eat steadily, find quality shelter, stay employed, afford transportation, secure child care, and enjoy a livable income. It will serve graduate and undergraduate students for yearsto come."-Barbara Levy Simon, Associate Professor of Social Work, Columbia University "A welcome departure from most social policy texts that prepares students to analyze social issues and to construct strategies for changing crucial social welfare policiesa novel and effective approach."-Josefina Figueira-McDonough, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Justice Studies and Social Work, Arizona State University "Blau and Abramovitz have given us the great gift of their many combined years of professional experience and advocacy for the poor. You don't have to be a social work student to profit from their clarity and insights; I, for one, will be referring to this book for years to come."-Barbara Ehrenreich, author of Nickle and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America "An accessible, readable, and stimulating approach to social welfare policy that will inform, challenge, and motivate both undergraduate and graduate students. New and exciting, this well-researched and organized text will help students master the intricacies of social welfare policy and became policy-sensitive practitioners."--Irwin Nesoff, DSW, Associate Professor and Assistant Chairperson, Social Work Department (BSW), Kean University

Feature

Conferences: CSWE, BPD, SSWR.
MDR list: SS9135 Social Welfare Policy
Related titles are other key core Fall & Spring textbooks.
Selling point: Offers a dynamic and comprehensive policy model
Selling point: Focuses on social change in a time of social change
Selling point: Has a progressive orientation that more closely mirrors the new political era
Selling point: Sidebars, graphics, and study questions highlight the main points and ensure that every student understands the fundamental concepts in social welfare policy
Selling point: Visit the companion website to find instructor resources including book study questions, class discussion questions (with answers provided), individual chapter quizzes, a sample syllabus, and weblinks/resources.

Details