
An Intellectual History of British Social Policy
Idealism Versus Non-idealism
John Offer(Author)
Policy Press
Published on 18. January 2006
Book
Hardback
232 pages
978-1-86134-530-1 (ISBN)
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Description
The history of social policy is emerging as an area of growing interest to both students and researchers. This topical book charts the period from the 1830s to the present day, providing a fresh analysis of the relationship between social theory and social policy in the UK. Drawing on recent historical research, the book: reconsiders and challenges many long-held beliefs about the 'evolution' of social policy; presents a wide-ranging reappraisal of links between social theories and changes in social policy; pays particular attention to the importance of idealist social thought as an intellectual framework for understanding the 'welfare state'; has a distinctive focus on the importance of ideas in the history of social policy. Different ideas about the means and aims of social policy suggested by Individualists, Idealists and Fabian Socialists are examined in depth and their impacts on the world of social policy reassessed. Special consideration is given to the history of ideas in relation to informal care and voluntary action, as well as action by the state.
This book provides a valuable framework that exposes many of the assumptions about the nature of 'welfare' and its future direction, making it important reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students and researchers in the field of social policy.
This book provides a valuable framework that exposes many of the assumptions about the nature of 'welfare' and its future direction, making it important reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students and researchers in the field of social policy.
Reviews / Votes
"John Offer's challenging new book on the development of ideas about social policy in the nineteenth century will be essential reading for teachers, students and researchers with interests in the field of social welfare theory." Robert Pinker, Emeritus Professor of Social Administration, London School of EconomicsMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-86134-530-1 (9781861345301)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
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01/2006
1st Edition
Policy Press
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1st Edition
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Person
John Offer is Professor of Social Theory and Policy in the School of Policy Studies at the University of Ulster, Coleraine. His main research interests are the history of ideas in respect of UK social policy, the social theory of Herbert Spencer, informal care and voluntary action, and the sociology of professional interventions in everyday social life.
Content
Introduction; 'Virtue' and the Poor Law in Britain and Ireland in the 1830s; Spencer and a liberal road to welfare: the individual in Spencer's social theory; The case of older people: social thought and divergent prescriptions for care; Social policy and idealist versus non-idealist thought: the fundamental schism; Idealist thought, social policy and the rediscovery of informal care; Social theory and voluntary action in Britain since 1880; Epilogue: from Poor Law to Labour's 'new idealism'.