The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy - Hardcover

Blau, Joel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195385268 ISBN 13: 9780195385267

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2010

Synopsis

The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy reinvented the standard social welfare policy text to speak to students in a vital new way. As we enter a new political era, the third edition deploys its distinctive model of how policies develop to include an analysis of the social policy initiatives of the Obama administration. With more graphics, updated charts, sidebars to highlight main points, and definitions of all of the major policy terms, this third edition is the text that best explains the evolution of U.S. social policy from a conservative to a more progressive era.

The book begins by discussing how social problems are constructed. After an analysis of social welfare policy, its purposes, and functions, a unique policy model bolsters the text's overarching progressive narrative. Through this model, students learn how five key social forces-ideology, politics, history, economics, and social movements-interact both to create and to change the social welfare system. By applying this model to five critical social welfare policy issues-income security, employment, housing, health, and food-the text demonstrates to students that every kind of social work practice embodies a social welfare policy. The model is also telling in identifying the triggers of social change and the effects of race, class, and gender.

By applying the policy model to the latest developments in social welfare, the chapter-long case studies in this third edition equip students with knowledge about social welfare policy and the tools for comparative analysis. With this knowledge, students begin to understand that both the whole and the parts of the social welfare system affect what they actually do as social workers.

The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy, Third Edition captures the fluidity and change inherent in social policy like no other textbook. Its approach remains the most invigorating, forward-thinking one available. Highlights from this edition include:

* The most recent information on the Obama administration's policy initiatives
* Revised data in text, charts, and graphs show how government policies are proving the points made throughout the chapters
* Exhaustive statistics are included about every major social program's budget, benefits, and participants
* Key words section at the end of each chapter explains basic policy terminology
* Sidebars, graphics, and study questions highlight the main points and ensure that every student understands the fundamental concepts in social welfare policy
* Content and writing style are appropriate to both bachelor's- and master's-level programs

About this title

About the Author

Joel Blau, DSW, is Professor of Social Policy at the School of Social Welfare, Stony Brook University.

Mimi Abramovitz, DSW, is Bertha Capen Reynolds Professor of Social Policy, 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

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0195385268
• ISBN 13: 9780195385267
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 528