I'm writing to let people know about my new book, recently published by
Sage.
THE WELFARE STATE: A GENERAL THEORY.
The book argues that social welfare provision is an extension of the social
relationships which lead people to
help each other. The argument is laid out as a structured series of
propositions. (This page only outlines the first two levels.)
Part 1, "People and Society", deals with the obligations which people have
to each other, both individually and in groups.
I. People live in society, and have obligations to each other.
I.1 People live in society.
I.2 Social relationships are patterned and structured.
I.3 Within social networks, people have obligations to help each other.
I.4 People and communities have to act morally.
Part 2, "Welfare", goes on to consider the factors which lead people to
develop systems of social protection.
II. Welfare is obtained and maintained through social action.
II.1 People have needs, which require a social response.
II.2 People have economic and social rights.
II.3 Social protection is necessary to secure welfare.
II.4 Welfare implies redistribution.
Part 3, "The State and Welfare", introduces the idea of the state as a
means of realising the kinds of policy implied by the earlier arguments.
III. The welfare state is a means of promoting and maintaining welfare in
society.
III.1 "Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human
wants."
III.2 The welfare states provide social protection.
III.3 Welfare is promoted and maintained through social policy.
III.4 The welfare states have a wide range of options through which
social policies can be pursued, but they can be assessed by common criteria.
The publication details are::
ISBN Hardback 0761967044 2000 £ 49.00
ISBN Paperback 0761967052 2000 £ 16.99
Fuller details can be found on the Sage website at
http://www.sagepub.co.uk/shopping/Detail.asp?id=10383
Apologies for any cross-posting.
Paul Spicker
University of Dundee
Dundee DD1 4HN
Scotland
Tel: + 44 1382 344929
Fax: + 44 1382 344675
Website: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/politics/socialpolicy
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