SW23A – Development of Social Policy What is Social Policy?

Why Social Policy?

Caribbean Articulations Underlying values of Social Policy

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What is Policy?

 According to Richard Titmuss, (founding father of Social Policy) policy “can be taken to refer to the principles that govern action directed towards given ends” (cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 209)  Policy is action-oriented and problem solving (Alcock, et al) Policy Programme/Intervention Desired Outcomes/Overall Goals * Monitoring and Evaluation are vital 2

What is Social Policy?

 Academic discipline  As an academic discipline, “social policy is the study of social welfare and the social services (Spicker, 2008; 4)  Social policy “entails the study of the social relations necessary for human wellbeing and the systems by which wellbeing may be promoted” Dean (2008; 1).

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

What is Social Policy?

Government action

 Social policies are public policies which outline the principles governing action or “intentional actions” (de Haan, 2007;4) towards achieving key social goals.

 Formal or official response of governments  Aina (1999) “deliberate intervention in the social life of a country to ensure the satisfaction of basic needs and wellbeing” of citizens (de Haan, 2007;6).

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What is Social Policy?

 Guaranteeing and safeguarding

human development well-being and

are at the core of social policy. Social policies address heath, education, housing, sanitation, social security, social protection and personal social services.



Alcock, et al (2001; 213) argue, social policy is “involved in choices in the ordering of social change ”

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What is Social Policy

 Explicit Social Policy  Openly declared decisions taken to guide the activities of the state in order to implement its stated social development goals  Implicit Social Policy  state decisions Cook, 2000).

and activities that contribute to, or undermine the realization of the stated social development goals which may not openly stated. (Kabeer & 6

Extract from Draft Language Policy – Ministry of Education

 The MOE will “Maintain SJE as the official language and promote basic communication through the oral use of the home language (Jamaican Creole) in the early years (e.g.

K-3) while facilitating the development of literacy in English”, (MOE, 2001;24).

 “Language learners in the Jamaican language environment need to develop positive attitudes to whatever language they speak and motivation to be able to make distinctions between JC and SJE, and to acquire competence in SJE” – (MOE, 2001;24) – www.moe.gov.jm

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What is Social Policy?

 Social Policy was once seen as then “Handmaiden” and “nurse” of economy; now it is seen as an equal partner to economic policy, equally integral to development (Kabeer & Cook, 2000).

  Moving from servicing the needs of the economy to looking after the casualties of economic growth to being integral to development (Kabeer & Cook, 2000).

Social policy is embodied in administrative programs & “legislation, institutions, practices” (Aina, 1999, cited in de Haan, 2007;6) and often is the result of years of struggle and protests by citizens.

8  Politics and ideology also play a major role.

Why Social Policy?

(Kabeer & Cook, 2000)

 Antecedents: Emerging as imperative because of globalisation, economic transitions to democracy.

liberalisation and  New patterns of inequality and insecurity that place stress on existing forms of public provision.

 Recognition of limitations of state-driven models; need to involve other institutions in social provision.

 Recognition of rights of citizens e.g. trades unions’ agitation; other interest groups (Cornwall & Gaventa,1999 Cited in Kabeer and Cook, 2000).

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Why Social Policy?

 Integrating new sources of social welfare namely family, social networks, private sector or civil society organisations, bilateral and multilateral development agencies; public, quasi public/statutory bodies/Executive Agencies (e.g.

NWC), regulated private (e.g. JPSCo), NGOs (CHASE Fund), informal community-based, households. (Kabeer & Cook, 2000)  Need for strategies to ensure social order and social stability (Baltodano, 1999 cited in Kabeer and Cook, 2000) 10

Why Social Policy?

 To address social needs, develop human capital/ “capabilities” (Amartya Sen) and secure livelihoods  To help create conditions for market functioning and economic development (de Haan, 2007; 5).

 To counteract the negatives associated with socio economic stratification systems  Social inequality – C’bean and LAC esp.

  Unequal access and opportunity Poverty 11

Why Social Policy?

   Marginalization Prejudice and discrimination Compromised life chances and well-being  To improve living standards /protect against risks inherent in a free market society (Cornwall & Gaventa, 1999).  To reduce social risk or assist households to manage social risk.  vulnerability to adverse outcomes like poverty. The sick, elderly and disabled face higher social risk, (Dean (2008; 118) .

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Why Social Policy?

 Recognition that people are not solely responsible for their misfortunes; that there are macroeconomic factors that affect all (unequally).

 State responsibility challenged with the shifting context.

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Why Social Policy?

 Recognition of the effects of internationalisation of trade and capital flows; adoption of monetarist policies in the North and structural adjustment in the South have resulted in reductions in public expenditure, deregulation of national economies and marketisation of public services (Kabeer & Cook, 2000).

 Note challenges to this notion.

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Values Underlying Social Policy

 Freedom   Rights (social and human rights) Equality – of opportunity, treatment, etc.

 Equity    Justice/Fairness Access – Social Policy must aim to break down barriers preventing access to services, inclusion and social mobility Democracy – participation in decision making (Spicker 2008, 87).

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Early Interpretations of Meaning of Social Policy



Professor Macbeath (1957)

“Social policies are concerned with the right ordering of the network of relationships between men and women who live together in societies, or with the principles which should govern the activities of individuals and groups so far as they affect the lives and interests of other people” (Titmuss, 1974; p.28 cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 212) 16

Interpreting Macbeath’s Definition

 Reconciling of the two sides of man egotistical and altruistic activities –  Shaping morals, values, norms behaviour to create orderly, stable society of  Significant Government social and cultural life intervention in 17

Early Interpretations of Meaning of Social Policy



Professor Hagenbuch (1958)

“the mainspring of social policy may be said to be the desire to ensure every member of the community certain minimum standards and certain opportunities” (Titmuss, 1974; p.29 cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 213) 18

Interpreting Hagenbuch’s Definition

 Provision of welfare and general social services for all at a basic level 19

Early Interpretations of Meaning of Social Policy



Professor Lafitte (1962)

“in the main social policy is an attempt to steer the life of society along channels it would not follow if left to itself” (Titmuss, 1974; p.30 cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 213) 20

Interpreting Lafitte’s Definition

 Social policy more concerned public health and the environment (provision of national parks and community facilities, reducing pollution)  Social goods not usually provided by the market  Less emphasis on social welfare issues 21

Early Interpretations of Meaning of Social Policy



Professor Marshall (1965)

“Social Policy … is taken to refer to the policy of governments with regard to action having a direct impact on the welfare of the citizens, by providing them with services or income.

The central core consists, therefore, of social insurance, public assistance, the health and welfare services, housing policy” (Titmuss, 1974; p.30 cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 213) 22

Interpreting Marshall’s Definition

 Social policy should be redistributive and address all areas of social need  Social rights part of citizenship 23

The Caribbean: A Special Articulation?



C.Y. Thomas:

Social Policy should be all embracing, to include non-traditional areas of social action, including employment and labour market policy, the justice system, governance, gender equality, arts and entertainment, macroeconomic regulations, and income and asset redistribution

(Transition, Issue 31, Dec., 2002)

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Caribbean articulations of the meaning of Social Policy



C. Y. Thomas, 2001; 70

“Social policy refers to: 1) those aims, objectives and declared intentions of a range of organizations in the public, private/business, civil sectors and international community that are

intended to reduce poverty and to meet the needs of the population, both male and female, in order to improve their well-being or welfare, and to promote the development of the country

; 2) the way these declared aims, objectives and intentions are translated into specific programmes and projects for change; and, 3) the monitored outcomes of these programmes and projects” 25

Interpreting Thomas’ Definition

 Emphasis development on poverty reduction and  Highlights gender as important factor  Stresses implementation, monitoring and evaluation 26

Caribbean articulations of Social Policy



Social Policy Evaluation Project (JASPEV)

participatory, and transparent.

–

This project sought to improve the way social policies are designed, delivered and monitored in order to make these processes more inclusive,  Emphasis on ‘Joined-up’ Government – dismantling boundaries between social sector ministries; creating inter-sectoral synergies 27

JASPEV

Jaspev sought to widen and deepen stakeholder participa

tion in policy making

 Jaspev produced Jamaica 2015 framework  Jaspev methodologies used in design of

2030 National Development Vision Plan –

Comprehensive plan which includes many social goals for health, education etc.

www.pioj.gov.jm

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A Negative Side to Social Policy ?

 Some social policies in the past have been destructive e.g. Education policy under Apartheid regime  Other policies may benefit one group at the expense of another, Titmuss for some might be illfare for others” “Welfare 29

Cautions

 Be careful not to reinforce the status quo or pre-existing patterns of inclusion or exclusion; ills of sectoral approach; structural barriers to delivery within ministries and agencies.

 Definition researchers of the ward issues: against Social the extension of the social policy agenda.

policy uncritical  Moore: ageing population and changing technology have contributed to the challenges to the welfare state; challenges economic 30 blame as not being empirically proven.

Cautions

 Respond to identified rather than assumed needs.

 Eschew top-down identified priorities.

rather than locally 31

Cautions

 Note the different context in which we find ourselves.  Sustainability (Bloom, 2000) – Universalist forms of social provision in the North have developed over a considerable period of time in contexts characterised by high average incomes and low levels of absolute poverty relative financial stability and efficient tax systems, a well-organised regulatory system and adequate numbers of trained personnel.

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Cautions

 Definitions of the concepts of and “the State” “civil society” raises the question of sovereignty; confounds the capacity of social scientists and policymakers to define the nature of the problem and to find solutions (Baltodano, 1999).

 Distinguish the gaps between declared intentions and the reality of social policy.

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