The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy - Hardcover

Blau, Joel; Abramovitz, Mimi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195311701 ISBN 13: 9780195311709

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2007

Synopsis

The first edition of The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy reinvented the standard social welfare policy text to speak to students in a vital new way. This second edition builds on its strengths, with a more accessible graphic design and a thorough update of the ways in which recent political and legislative changes have affected social welfare programs. The bookâs five-part policy model â which shows how ideology, politics, history, economics, and social movements interact both to create and to change the social welfare system â and its overarching progressive narrative are bolstered by lucid discussions of these current issues. Analyzing, for example, recent developments such as the shortfall in the funding of the private pension system and the failed campaign to privatize Social Security; the split in the AFL-CIO and the founding of the Change to Win coalition; the reauthorization of the 1996 Temporary Assistance to Needy Families act; the campaign against Wal-Mart as the embodiment of proliferating low-wage work; and examination of the âNo Child Left Behindâ legislation, the authors show students how profoundly policy influences social work practice.
The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy 2/e captures the fluidity and change inherent in social policy like no other textbook. Its approach remains the most invigorating, forward-thinking one available.

About this title

About the Author

Joel Blau, DSW, is Professor at the Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare.
Mimi Abramovitz, DSW, is Professor at the Hunter College School of Social Work and The Graduate Center, City University of New York.

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 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
"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

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0195311701
• ISBN 13: 9780195311709
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 544