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SW23ASW23A – Development of – Development of Social PolicySocial Policy

What is Social Policy?What is Social Policy?

Why Social Policy?Why Social Policy?

Caribbean ArticulationsCaribbean Articulations

Underlying values of Social Underlying values of Social PolicyPolicy

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What is Policy?What is Policy? According to Richard Titmuss, (founding According to Richard Titmuss, (founding

father of Social Policy) policy “can be taken father of Social Policy) policy “can be taken to refer to the principles that govern action to refer to the principles that govern action directed towards given ends” (cited in directed towards given ends” (cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 209)Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 209) Policy is action-oriented and problem Policy is action-oriented and problem

solving (Alcock, et al)solving (Alcock, et al)

Policy Programme/Intervention Policy Programme/Intervention

Desired Outcomes/Overall Goals Desired Outcomes/Overall Goals

* * Monitoring and Evaluation are vitalMonitoring and Evaluation are vital

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What is Social Policy?What is Social Policy?

Academic disciplineAcademic discipline As an academic discipline, “social policy is the As an academic discipline, “social policy is the

study of social welfare and the social services study of social welfare and the social services (Spicker, 2008; 4)(Spicker, 2008; 4)

Social policy “entails the study of the social Social policy “entails the study of the social relations necessary for human wellbeing and the relations necessary for human wellbeing and the systems by which wellbeing may be promoted” systems by which wellbeing may be promoted” Dean (2008; 1).Dean (2008; 1).

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What is Social Policy?What is Social Policy? Government actionGovernment action

Social policies are public policies which outline Social policies are public policies which outline the principles governing action or “intentional the principles governing action or “intentional actions” (de Haan, 2007;4) towards achieving actions” (de Haan, 2007;4) towards achieving key social goals.key social goals.

Formal or official response of governmentsFormal or official response of governments

Aina (1999) “deliberate intervention in the Aina (1999) “deliberate intervention in the social life of a country to ensure the social life of a country to ensure the satisfaction of basic needs and wellbeing” of satisfaction of basic needs and wellbeing” of citizens (de Haan, 2007;6).citizens (de Haan, 2007;6).

What is Social Policy?What is Social Policy?

Guaranteeing and safeguarding Guaranteeing and safeguarding well-being and well-being and human developmenthuman development are at the core of social are at the core of social policy. Social policies address heath, education, policy. Social policies address heath, education, housing, sanitation, social security, social housing, sanitation, social security, social protection and personal social services.protection and personal social services.

Alcock, et al (2001; 213) argue, social policy is Alcock, et al (2001; 213) argue, social policy is “involved in choices in the ordering of “involved in choices in the ordering of social social changechange””

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What is Social PolicyWhat is Social Policy Explicit Social PolicyExplicit Social Policy

Openly declared decisions taken to guide Openly declared decisions taken to guide the activities of the state in order to the activities of the state in order to implement its stated social development implement its stated social development goalsgoals

Implicit Social PolicyImplicit Social Policy state decisions and activities that state decisions and activities that

contribute to, or undermine the realization contribute to, or undermine the realization of the stated social development goals of the stated social development goals which may not openly stated. (Kabeer & which may not openly stated. (Kabeer & Cook, 2000). Cook, 2000).

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Extract from Draft Language Policy – Extract from Draft Language Policy – Ministry of EducationMinistry of Education

The MOE will “Maintain SJE as the official language and promote basic communication through the oral use of the home language (Jamaican Creole) in the early years (e.g. K-3) while facilitating the development of literacy in English”, (MOE, 2001;24).

“Language learners in the Jamaican language environment need to develop positive attitudes to whatever language they speak and motivation to be able to make distinctions between JC and SJE, and to acquire competence in SJE” – (MOE, 2001;24) – www.moe.gov.jm

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What is Social Policy?What is Social Policy? Social Policy was once seen as “Handmaiden” and Social Policy was once seen as “Handmaiden” and

then “nurse” of economy; now it is seen as an equal then “nurse” of economy; now it is seen as an equal partner to economic policy, equally integral to partner to economic policy, equally integral to development (Kabeer & Cook, 2000). development (Kabeer & Cook, 2000).

Moving from servicing the needs of the economy to Moving from servicing the needs of the economy to looking after the casualties of economic growth to looking after the casualties of economic growth to being integral to development (Kabeer & Cook, being integral to development (Kabeer & Cook, 2000). 2000).

Social policy is embodied in “legislation, institutions, Social policy is embodied in “legislation, institutions, administrative programs & practices” (Aina, 1999, administrative programs & practices” (Aina, 1999, cited in de Haan, 2007;6) and often is the result of cited in de Haan, 2007;6) and often is the result of years of struggle and protests by citizens.years of struggle and protests by citizens.

Politics and ideology also play a major role.Politics and ideology also play a major role.

Why Social Policy?Why Social Policy?(Kabeer & Cook, 2000)(Kabeer & Cook, 2000)

Antecedents: Emerging as imperative because of Antecedents: Emerging as imperative because of globalisation, economic liberalisation and globalisation, economic liberalisation and transitions to democracy.transitions to democracy.

New patterns of inequality and insecurity that New patterns of inequality and insecurity that place stress on existing forms of public provision.place stress on existing forms of public provision.

Recognition of limitations of state-driven models; Recognition of limitations of state-driven models; need to involve other institutions in social need to involve other institutions in social provision.provision.

Recognition of rights of citizens e.g. trades Recognition of rights of citizens e.g. trades unions’ agitation; other interest groups unions’ agitation; other interest groups (Cornwall & (Cornwall & Gaventa,1999 Cited in Kabeer and Cook, 2000).Gaventa,1999 Cited in Kabeer and Cook, 2000). 99

Why Social Policy?Why Social Policy? Integrating new sources of social welfare namely Integrating new sources of social welfare namely

family, social networks, private sector or civil family, social networks, private sector or civil society organisations, bilateral and multilateral society organisations, bilateral and multilateral development agencies; public, development agencies; public, quasi-public/statutory bodies/Executive Agencies quasi-public/statutory bodies/Executive Agencies (e.g. NWC), regulated private (e.g. JPSCo), (e.g. NWC), regulated private (e.g. JPSCo), NGOs (CHASE Fund), informal community-NGOs (CHASE Fund), informal community-based, households. (Kabeer & Cook, 2000)based, households. (Kabeer & Cook, 2000)

Need for strategies to ensure social order and Need for strategies to ensure social order and social stability (Baltodano, 1999 cited in Kabeer social stability (Baltodano, 1999 cited in Kabeer and Cook, 2000)and Cook, 2000)

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Why Social Policy?Why Social Policy? To address social needs, develop human capital/ To address social needs, develop human capital/

“capabilities” (Amartya Sen) and secure livelihoods“capabilities” (Amartya Sen) and secure livelihoods

To help create conditions for market functioning and To help create conditions for market functioning and economic development (de Haan, 2007; 5).economic development (de Haan, 2007; 5).

To counteract the negatives associated with socio-To counteract the negatives associated with socio-economic stratification systemseconomic stratification systems Social inequality – C’bean and LAC esp.Social inequality – C’bean and LAC esp. Unequal access and opportunityUnequal access and opportunity PovertyPoverty

Why Social Policy?Why Social Policy? MarginalizationMarginalization Prejudice and discriminationPrejudice and discrimination Compromised life chances and well-beingCompromised life chances and well-being

To improve living standards /protect against To improve living standards /protect against risks inherent in a free market society risks inherent in a free market society (Cornwall & Gaventa, 1999). (Cornwall & Gaventa, 1999).

To reduce social risk or assist households to To reduce social risk or assist households to manage social risk. manage social risk. vulnerability to adverse outcomes like poverty. vulnerability to adverse outcomes like poverty.

The sick, elderly and disabled face higher social The sick, elderly and disabled face higher social risk, (Dean (2008; 118) .risk, (Dean (2008; 118) .

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Why Social Policy?Why Social Policy?

Recognition that people are not solely Recognition that people are not solely responsible for their misfortunes; that responsible for their misfortunes; that there are macroeconomic factors that there are macroeconomic factors that affect all (unequally). affect all (unequally).

State responsibility challenged with the State responsibility challenged with the shifting context. shifting context.

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Why Social Policy?Why Social Policy?

Recognition of the effects of Recognition of the effects of internationalisation of trade and capital internationalisation of trade and capital flows; adoption of monetarist policies in flows; adoption of monetarist policies in the North and structural adjustment in the the North and structural adjustment in the South have resulted in reductions in public South have resulted in reductions in public expenditure, deregulation of national expenditure, deregulation of national economies and marketisation of public economies and marketisation of public services (Kabeer & Cook, 2000).services (Kabeer & Cook, 2000).

Note challenges to this notion.Note challenges to this notion.

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Values Underlying Social PolicyValues Underlying Social Policy

Freedom Freedom Rights (social and human rights) Rights (social and human rights) Equality – of opportunity, treatment, etc.Equality – of opportunity, treatment, etc. EquityEquity Justice/FairnessJustice/Fairness Access – Social Policy must aim to break Access – Social Policy must aim to break

down barriers preventing access to down barriers preventing access to services, inclusion and social mobilityservices, inclusion and social mobility

Democracy – participation in decision-Democracy – participation in decision-making (Spicker 2008, 87).making (Spicker 2008, 87).

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Early Interpretations of Early Interpretations of Meaning of Social PolicyMeaning of Social Policy

Professor Macbeath (1957) Professor Macbeath (1957) “ “Social policies are concerned with the right Social policies are concerned with the right

ordering of the network of relationships ordering of the network of relationships between men and women who live together between men and women who live together in societies, or with the principles which in societies, or with the principles which should govern the activities of individuals should govern the activities of individuals and groups so far as they affect the lives and groups so far as they affect the lives and interests of other people” (Titmuss, and interests of other people” (Titmuss, 1974; p.28 cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 1974; p.28 cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 212)212)

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Interpreting Macbeath’s Interpreting Macbeath’s DefinitionDefinition

Reconciling of the two sides of man – Reconciling of the two sides of man – egotistical and altruistic activitiesegotistical and altruistic activities

Shaping morals, values, norms of Shaping morals, values, norms of behaviour to create orderly, stable society behaviour to create orderly, stable society

Significant Government intervention in Significant Government intervention in social and cultural lifesocial and cultural life

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Early Interpretations of Early Interpretations of Meaning of Social PolicyMeaning of Social Policy

Professor Hagenbuch (1958)Professor Hagenbuch (1958)

“ “the mainspring of social policy may be the mainspring of social policy may be said to be the desire to ensure every said to be the desire to ensure every member of the community certain member of the community certain minimum standards and certain minimum standards and certain opportunities” (Titmuss, 1974; p.29 cited in opportunities” (Titmuss, 1974; p.29 cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 213)Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 213)

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Interpreting Hagenbuch’s Interpreting Hagenbuch’s DefinitionDefinition

Provision of welfare and general social services Provision of welfare and general social services for all at a basic levelfor all at a basic level

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Early Interpretations of Early Interpretations of Meaning of Social PolicyMeaning of Social Policy

Professor Lafitte (1962)Professor Lafitte (1962) “ “in the main social policy is an attempt to steer the in the main social policy is an attempt to steer the

life of society along channels it would not follow if life of society along channels it would not follow if left to itself” (Titmuss, 1974; p.30 cited in Alcock, left to itself” (Titmuss, 1974; p.30 cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 213)et al (eds.), 2001; 213)

Interpreting Lafitte’s Interpreting Lafitte’s DefinitionDefinition

Social policy more concerned public health Social policy more concerned public health and the environment (provision of national and the environment (provision of national parks and community facilities, reducing parks and community facilities, reducing pollution) pollution)

Social goods not usually provided by the Social goods not usually provided by the marketmarket

Less emphasis on social welfare issuesLess emphasis on social welfare issues

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Early Interpretations of Early Interpretations of Meaning of Social PolicyMeaning of Social Policy

Professor Marshall (1965)Professor Marshall (1965)

“ “Social Policy … is taken to refer to the policy of Social Policy … is taken to refer to the policy of governments with regard to action having a governments with regard to action having a direct impact on the welfare of the citizens, by direct impact on the welfare of the citizens, by providing them with services or income. The providing them with services or income. The central core consists, therefore, of social central core consists, therefore, of social insurance, public assistance, the health and insurance, public assistance, the health and welfare services, housing policy” (Titmuss, 1974; welfare services, housing policy” (Titmuss, 1974; p.30 cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 213)p.30 cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 213)

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Interpreting Marshall’s Interpreting Marshall’s DefinitionDefinition

Social policy should be redistributive and Social policy should be redistributive and address all areas of social needaddress all areas of social need

Social rights part of citizenshipSocial rights part of citizenship

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The Caribbean: A Special The Caribbean: A Special Articulation?Articulation?

C.Y. Thomas:C.Y. Thomas: Social Policy should be all Social Policy should be all embracing, to include non-traditional areas embracing, to include non-traditional areas of social action, including employment and of social action, including employment and labour market policy, the justice system, labour market policy, the justice system, governance, gender equality, arts and governance, gender equality, arts and entertainment, macroeconomic regulations, entertainment, macroeconomic regulations, and income and asset redistribution and income and asset redistribution

(Transition, Issue 31, Dec., 2002)(Transition, Issue 31, Dec., 2002)

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Caribbean articulations of the Caribbean articulations of the meaning of Social Policymeaning of Social Policy

C. Y. Thomas, 2001; 70 C. Y. Thomas, 2001; 70 “Social policy refers to: “Social policy refers to: 1) those aims, objectives and declared intentions of a 1) those aims, objectives and declared intentions of a range of organizations in the public, private/business, range of organizations in the public, private/business, civil sectors and international community that are civil sectors and international community that are intended to reduce poverty and to meet the needs of intended to reduce poverty and to meet the needs of the population, both male and female, in order to the population, both male and female, in order to improve their well-being or welfare, and to promote improve their well-being or welfare, and to promote the development of the countrythe development of the country; ;

2) the way these declared aims, objectives and intentions 2) the way these declared aims, objectives and intentions are translated into specific programmes and projects for are translated into specific programmes and projects for change; and, change; and,

3) the monitored outcomes of these programmes and 3) the monitored outcomes of these programmes and projects”projects”

Interpreting Thomas’ Interpreting Thomas’ DefinitionDefinition

Emphasis on poverty reduction and Emphasis on poverty reduction and developmentdevelopment

Highlights gender as important factorHighlights gender as important factor

Stresses implementation, monitoring and Stresses implementation, monitoring and evaluationevaluation

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Caribbean articulations of Social Caribbean articulations of Social PolicyPolicy

Social Policy Evaluation Project (JASPEV) – Social Policy Evaluation Project (JASPEV) – This project sought to improve the way social This project sought to improve the way social policies are designed, delivered and monitored in policies are designed, delivered and monitored in order to make these processes more inclusive, order to make these processes more inclusive, participatory, and transparent. participatory, and transparent.

Emphasis on ‘Joined-up’ Government – Emphasis on ‘Joined-up’ Government – dismantling boundaries between social sector dismantling boundaries between social sector ministries; creating inter-sectoral synergiesministries; creating inter-sectoral synergies

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JASPEVJASPEV

Jaspev sought to widen and deepen stakeholder Jaspev sought to widen and deepen stakeholder participaparticipation in policy makingtion in policy making

Jaspev produced Jamaica 2015 frameworkJaspev produced Jamaica 2015 framework

Jaspev methodologies used in design of Jaspev methodologies used in design of Vision Vision 2030 National Development Plan – 2030 National Development Plan – Comprehensive plan which includes many social Comprehensive plan which includes many social goals for health, education etc. goals for health, education etc. www.pioj.gov.jm

A Negative Side to Social Policy ?A Negative Side to Social Policy ?

Some social policies in the past have been Some social policies in the past have been destructive e.g. Education policy under destructive e.g. Education policy under Apartheid regimeApartheid regime

Other policies may benefit one group at Other policies may benefit one group at the expense of another, Titmuss “Welfare the expense of another, Titmuss “Welfare for some might be illfare for others” for some might be illfare for others”

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CautionsCautions Be careful not to reinforce the status quo or Be careful not to reinforce the status quo or

pre-existing patterns of inclusion or exclusion; pre-existing patterns of inclusion or exclusion; ills of sectoral approach; structural barriers to ills of sectoral approach; structural barriers to delivery within ministries and agencies.delivery within ministries and agencies.

Definition of the issues: Social policy Definition of the issues: Social policy researchers ward against the uncritical researchers ward against the uncritical extension of the social policy agenda.extension of the social policy agenda.

Moore: ageing population and changing Moore: ageing population and changing technology have contributed to the challenges technology have contributed to the challenges to the welfare state; challenges economic to the welfare state; challenges economic blame as not being empirically proven.blame as not being empirically proven. 3030

CautionsCautions

Respond to identified rather than assumed Respond to identified rather than assumed needs. needs.

Eschew top-down rather than locally-Eschew top-down rather than locally-identified priorities. identified priorities.

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Note the different context in which we find Note the different context in which we find ourselves. ourselves.

Sustainability (Bloom, 2000) – Universalist Sustainability (Bloom, 2000) – Universalist forms of social provision in the North have forms of social provision in the North have developed over a considerable period of developed over a considerable period of time in contexts characterised by high time in contexts characterised by high average incomes and low levels of average incomes and low levels of absolute poverty relative financial stability absolute poverty relative financial stability and efficient tax systems, a well-organised and efficient tax systems, a well-organised regulatory system and adequate numbers regulatory system and adequate numbers of trained personnel. of trained personnel.

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CautionsCautions

CautionsCautions

Definitions of the concepts of “the State” Definitions of the concepts of “the State” and “civil society” raises the question of and “civil society” raises the question of sovereignty; confounds the capacity of sovereignty; confounds the capacity of social scientists and policymakers to social scientists and policymakers to define the nature of the problem and to define the nature of the problem and to find solutions (Baltodano, 1999).find solutions (Baltodano, 1999).

Distinguish the gaps between declared Distinguish the gaps between declared intentions and the reality of social policy.intentions and the reality of social policy.

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