A central theme of this lively and accessible text is that theory helps us to understand policy, politics and practice. The book combines an in-depth exploration of selected theoretical perspectives and concepts with the student-friendly format of the Understanding Welfare series. The author uses diverse examples from contemporary social policy to help theoretical arguments come alive. It should provide a key text for 2nd and 3rd year undergraduates and postgraduates in social policy and related subjects, as well as their teachers.
Introduction: laying the groundwork
Part One: Theoretical perspectives in the political arena: Dominant post-war ideological perspectives: from 'middle way' to 'third way' and beyond; Critical perspectives: Marxism, feminism, anti-racism and environmentalism;
Part Two: Theoretical perspectives as an analytical tool: Post-Fordism and postmodernism; Social control, regulation and resistance; What's the problem? Social constructionism;
Part Three: Concepts: Needs; Citizenship and community; Liberty, equality and social justice; Bringing it all together.
