Power Resource Theory and the Welfare State: A Critical Approach

This collection of essays looks at power resources theory (PRT), a groundbreaking approach to political theory that builds upon the existing strengths of Marxist theorizing while addressing its weaknesses. Rather than simply asserting that all social policies in all capitalist societies exist to maintain capitalism and serve the long-term interests of the capitalist class, PRT examines the nature and impact of social policies and the level and types of social inequality in a variety of advanced capitalist nations. Approaches to social policy and the impacts of these policies vary a great deal from country to country. It is these variations that PRT seeks to account for, focusing on the strengths and organization of the labour movements in various nations.

The editors have compiled essays that examine PRT in general, as well as essays that offer critical analysis of PRT. As existing summations of state theory literature largely omit PRT, this anthology is essential reading for anyone interested in social policy and radical approaches to social welfare.

Julia S. O'Connor is Director of the National Economic and Social Council in Dublin, Ireland.

Gregg M. Olsen is a professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Manitoba.