
Thinking Collectively
Social Policy, Collective Action and the Common Good
Paul Spicker(Author)
Policy Press
1st Edition
Published on 5. June 2019
Book
Hardback
188 pages
978-1-4473-4689-0 (ISBN)
Description
What does collectivism mean in social policy? What does thinking collectively imply for policy?
In this book, well-respected author Paul Spicker lends a complementary voice to his Reclaiming Individualism, reviewing collectivism as a dimension of political discourse. Breaking down his analysis to examine collectivism through substantive, moral and methodological lenses, he reviews a series of arguments for cooperative effort, solidarity and collective responsibility. Taking a dispassionate and methodical approach, the author explores what collectivism means in social policy and what value it offers to the field.
In this book, well-respected author Paul Spicker lends a complementary voice to his Reclaiming Individualism, reviewing collectivism as a dimension of political discourse. Breaking down his analysis to examine collectivism through substantive, moral and methodological lenses, he reviews a series of arguments for cooperative effort, solidarity and collective responsibility. Taking a dispassionate and methodical approach, the author explores what collectivism means in social policy and what value it offers to the field.
Reviews / Votes
"Paul Spicker asks how to think-with, live-with, and be-with collectives in this important new book which sees afresh the possibilities of collective life. Crucially, it also reinstates the significance of the common good and value of the common weal for social scientists and activists." Stephen A. Webb, Glasgow Caledonian University "This concise and well-written book is a compelling and timely reminder of the importance of collective action and political community." Daniel Beland, McGill UniversityMore details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bristol University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
2 s/w Tabellen, 1 s/w Abbildung
2 Tables, black and white; 1 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
455 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4473-4689-0 (9781447346890)
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
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2019
1st Edition
Policy Press
€47.99
Available for download

E-Book
06/2019
1st Edition
Policy Press
€231.99
Available for download
Person
Paul Spicker is Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at Robert Gordon University; he works independently as a writer and commentator on social policy. His previous books on applied social theory include Liberty, equality, fraternity (2006), Reclaiming Individualism (2013), and Arguments for Welfare (2017).
Content
Part I: Collectivism
Substantive collectivism: collectivism in practice
Methodological collectivism: social science and social policy
Moral collectivism
The individual and the collective
Community
Part II: Collective action for the common good
Government and collective action
Radical democracy
Collective values
Policies for the common good
The common weal
Substantive collectivism: collectivism in practice
Methodological collectivism: social science and social policy
Moral collectivism
The individual and the collective
Community
Part II: Collective action for the common good
Government and collective action
Radical democracy
Collective values
Policies for the common good
The common weal