
Welfare State Change
Towards a Third Way?
Oxford University Press
Published on 7. October 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
256 pages
978-0-19-926673-9 (ISBN)
Description
The politics of the Third Way reflects an attempt by many contemporary social democracies to forge a new political settlement which is fitted to the conditions of a modern society and new global economy, but which retains the goals of social cohesion and egalitarianism. It seeks to differentiate itself as distinct from the political ideologies of the New Right and Old Left. Though commonly linked to the US Democratic Party in the Clinton era, it can also be traced to the political discourses in European social democratic parties during the mid-1990s, most notably in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In social policy terms the model attempts to transcend the old alternatives of the state and the market. Instead, civil society, government, and the market are viewed as interdependent and equal partners in the provision of welfare, and the challenge for government is to create equilibrium between these three pillars. The individual is to be 'pushed' towards
self-help, and independent, active citizenship, while business and government must contribute to economic and social cohesion.
This book provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of 'Third Way' social policy and policy processes in the welfare systems of industrialized economies, and examines the extent to which 'Third Way' ideology and institutional structures converge or vary in different national settings. It examines substantive areas of public policy in a broad comparative context of key trends and debates. By assessing the extent to which the post-war social contract in developed welfare states is being renegotiated, the text contributes to a better understanding of the current restructuring and modernization of the State. Finally the book explores the implications of the new politics of welfare for theorizing inequality, social justice, and the future of welfare.
self-help, and independent, active citizenship, while business and government must contribute to economic and social cohesion.
This book provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of 'Third Way' social policy and policy processes in the welfare systems of industrialized economies, and examines the extent to which 'Third Way' ideology and institutional structures converge or vary in different national settings. It examines substantive areas of public policy in a broad comparative context of key trends and debates. By assessing the extent to which the post-war social contract in developed welfare states is being renegotiated, the text contributes to a better understanding of the current restructuring and modernization of the State. Finally the book explores the implications of the new politics of welfare for theorizing inequality, social justice, and the future of welfare.
Reviews / Votes
...the quality of its contributions is consistently high...adds significantly to our knowledge and understanding. * Social Policy *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
383 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-926673-9 (9780199266739)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
10/2004
Oxford University Press
€90.30
Shipment within 15-20 days

E-Book
10/2004
1st Edition
OUP Oxford
€63.80
Available for download
Persons
Editor
Barnett Professor of Social Policy, University of Oxford
University Lecturer in Social Policy and Social Work, University of Oxford
Content
PART 1: POLICY CONTEXTS AND CONCEPTS ; 1. Modern Challenges to the Welfare State and the Antecedents of the Third Way ; 2. Welfare Philosophy and the Third Way ; 3. One Third Way or Several? ; PART 2: POLICY AREAS, GOALS, AND MECHANISMS ; 4. Moderninzing the State: A New Style of Governance? ; 5. Does the Third Way Work?: The Left and Labour Market Policy Reform in Britain, France, and Germany ; 6. Third Sector - Third Way: Comparative Perspectives and Policy Reflections ; 7. Changing Conceptions of Family and Gender Relations in European Welfare States and the Third Way ; PART 3: CONFLICTS AND CHALLENGES ; 8. The Third Way's Social Investment State ; 9. The Implications of Third Way Social Policy for Inequality, Social Cohesion, and Citizenship ; 10. What is New Labour? Can it Deliver on Social Policy?