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Advanced Introduction to Social Policy
Advanced Introduction to Social Policy offers a concise overview of the field that takes newer realities into account, without rejecting the insights found in the traditional social policy canon. Daniel Béland and Rianne Mahon draw on both classic and contemporary theories to illuminate the broad processes that are putting pressure on existing social policy arrangements and raising new research questions. These processes provide the canvass against which the authors assess the social policy implications of changing gender relations, the increasing salience of ethnic diversity, and the growing importance of the Global South as a site of social policy innovation.
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Critical Acclaim
Contents
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Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.
Advanced Introduction to Social Policy offers a concise overview of the field that takes newer realities into account, without rejecting the insights found in the traditional social policy canon. Daniel Béland and Rianne Mahon draw on both classic and contemporary theories to illuminate the broad processes that are putting pressure on existing social policy arrangements and raising new research questions. This enlightening book enriches social policy research by moving beyond the methodological nationalism that has traditionally marked the field to include the role of transnational actors.
Key features include;
• a concise yet advanced introduction to social policy research
• a close examination of changing gender relations and the increasing salience of ethnic diversity
• a focus on both the advanced industrial world and the growing importance of the Global South as a site of social policy innovation
• a stress on the role of ideas in social policy
• a global perspective on social policy that features systematic attention to transnational actors.
In this lucid and accessible book, the authors offer a thorough overview of the field of social policy. This Advanced Introduction is essential reading for students, academics and policymakers alike.
Advanced Introduction to Social Policy offers a concise overview of the field that takes newer realities into account, without rejecting the insights found in the traditional social policy canon. Daniel Béland and Rianne Mahon draw on both classic and contemporary theories to illuminate the broad processes that are putting pressure on existing social policy arrangements and raising new research questions. This enlightening book enriches social policy research by moving beyond the methodological nationalism that has traditionally marked the field to include the role of transnational actors.
Key features include;
• a concise yet advanced introduction to social policy research
• a close examination of changing gender relations and the increasing salience of ethnic diversity
• a focus on both the advanced industrial world and the growing importance of the Global South as a site of social policy innovation
• a stress on the role of ideas in social policy
• a global perspective on social policy that features systematic attention to transnational actors.
In this lucid and accessible book, the authors offer a thorough overview of the field of social policy. This Advanced Introduction is essential reading for students, academics and policymakers alike.
Critical Acclaim
‘Daniel Béland and Rianne Mahon provide advanced students with an excellent overview of systems of social provision and regulation worldwide, notable for its theoretical sophistication and compelling empirical materials. The authors engage with the practical and analytic challenges to welfare states, and their analysts, posed by globalization and global governance, increased migration, transformations in household forms and gender relations, and shifting racial/ethnic dynamics. Moreover, the book is well-grounded in the rich comparative traditions of welfare studies while also attending to innovative theoretical trends.’
– Ann Shola Orloff, Northwestern University, US
‘This book delivers a superb introduction to social policy. With a wonderful flow and a truly global perspective, it draws from the finest of the classics and contemporary research to address the ideas and societal transformations that have deeply changed the face of social policy. Millions of people on the move, the travel of ideas, intense statecraft, critical feminist voices across the globe, all make their way into the novel contribution Béland and Mahon make to the teaching of social policy. This book is a must have on social policy courses in Latin America and the global South.’
– Juliana Martínez Franzoni, Universidad de Costa Rica
‘Written in a refreshing and accessible style, Daniel Béland and Rianne Mahon’s Advanced Introduction to Social Policy is a tour de force bringing together a critical reading of key theoretical contributions to social policy research and the role of ideas in animating policy, while engaging with many “new” and emerging issues in an increasingly globalized world. From changing gender norms and family structures and growing ethnic/racial diversity, to the limits of methodological nationalism and the enhanced spread of transnational policy learning, this volume is a testament to the vibrancy of the social policy field and a must-read for both students and researchers.’
– Shahra Razavi, UN Women
‘An admirably succinct, clear yet comprehensive social policy text, perfect for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The authors manage to combine classic social policy concepts with debates that are relevant for contemporary times. At the same time they show how political, social and economic contexts influence shifts in thinking. The book references an impressive range of countries and regions of the world without losing any coherence. It will appeal to a wide international audience.’
– Fiona Williams, University of Leeds, UK
‘This introductory but advanced-level book is well written, accessible, clear and to the point. It’s a good read. It provides a succinct overview of approaches to explaining welfare state diversity among capitalist economies. It reviews how gender and ethnic diversity and struggles around these divisions play out in shaping social policies. Its main original contribution is the case made for the independent role that ideas play in influencing policy. The globalisation context of the subject matter is nicely captured meaning that this text escapes the outdated constraints of methodological nationalism that burdens much comparative social literature.’
– Bob Deacon, University of York and University of Sheffield, UK
– Ann Shola Orloff, Northwestern University, US
‘This book delivers a superb introduction to social policy. With a wonderful flow and a truly global perspective, it draws from the finest of the classics and contemporary research to address the ideas and societal transformations that have deeply changed the face of social policy. Millions of people on the move, the travel of ideas, intense statecraft, critical feminist voices across the globe, all make their way into the novel contribution Béland and Mahon make to the teaching of social policy. This book is a must have on social policy courses in Latin America and the global South.’
– Juliana Martínez Franzoni, Universidad de Costa Rica
‘Written in a refreshing and accessible style, Daniel Béland and Rianne Mahon’s Advanced Introduction to Social Policy is a tour de force bringing together a critical reading of key theoretical contributions to social policy research and the role of ideas in animating policy, while engaging with many “new” and emerging issues in an increasingly globalized world. From changing gender norms and family structures and growing ethnic/racial diversity, to the limits of methodological nationalism and the enhanced spread of transnational policy learning, this volume is a testament to the vibrancy of the social policy field and a must-read for both students and researchers.’
– Shahra Razavi, UN Women
‘An admirably succinct, clear yet comprehensive social policy text, perfect for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The authors manage to combine classic social policy concepts with debates that are relevant for contemporary times. At the same time they show how political, social and economic contexts influence shifts in thinking. The book references an impressive range of countries and regions of the world without losing any coherence. It will appeal to a wide international audience.’
– Fiona Williams, University of Leeds, UK
‘This introductory but advanced-level book is well written, accessible, clear and to the point. It’s a good read. It provides a succinct overview of approaches to explaining welfare state diversity among capitalist economies. It reviews how gender and ethnic diversity and struggles around these divisions play out in shaping social policies. Its main original contribution is the case made for the independent role that ideas play in influencing policy. The globalisation context of the subject matter is nicely captured meaning that this text escapes the outdated constraints of methodological nationalism that burdens much comparative social literature.’
– Bob Deacon, University of York and University of Sheffield, UK
Contents
Contents: Introduction 1. Capitalism, Citizenship and Solidarity 2. Explaining Social Policy Development—Theoretical Perspectives 3. Classifying Countries—Reconsidering Welfare Regimes 4. Taking Ideas Seriously in Social Policy 5. Social Exclusion, New Social Risks and Social Investment 6. Changing Gender Norms, Welfare Regime Forms 7. Social Policy and the Politics of Diversity 8. Globalisation and Social Policy Conclusion Index
