SW23A – Development of
Social Policy
What is Social Policy?
Why Social Policy?
Caribbean Articulations
Underlying values of Social
Policy
1
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).
3
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).
4
What is Social Policy?


Guaranteeing and safeguarding well-being and
human development 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”
5
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 and activities that
contribute to, or undermine the realization
of the stated social development goals
which may not openly stated. (Kabeer &
Cook, 2000).
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
7
What is Social Policy?
Social Policy was once seen as “Handmaiden” and
then “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 “legislation, institutions,
administrative programs & practices” (Aina, 1999,
cited in de Haan, 2007;6) and often is the result of
years of struggle and protests by citizens.

8
Why Social Policy?
(Kabeer & Cook, 2000)

Antecedents: Emerging as imperative because of
globalisation,
economic
liberalisation
and
transitions to democracy.
 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).
9
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,
quasipublic/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 socioeconomic 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) .
12
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.
13
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.
14
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 decisionmaking (Spicker 2008, 87).
11
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
of the two sides of man –
egotistical and altruistic activities
 Reconciling
 Shaping
morals, values, norms of
behaviour to create orderly, stable society
 Significant
Government intervention in
social and cultural life
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)
24
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
on
development
 Highlights
poverty
reduction
and
gender as important factor
 Stresses
implementation, monitoring and
evaluation
26
Caribbean articulations of Social
Policy

Social Policy Evaluation Project (JASPEV) –
This project sought to improve the way social
policies are designed, delivered and monitored in
order to make these processes more inclusive,
participatory, and transparent.

Emphasis
on
‘Joined-up’
Government
–
dismantling boundaries between social sector
ministries; creating inter-sectoral synergies
27
JASPEV
Jaspev sought to widen and deepen stakeholder
participation in policy making


Jaspev produced Jamaica 2015 framework
Jaspev methodologies used in design of Vision
2030
National
Development
Plan
–
Comprehensive plan which includes many social
goals for health, education etc. www.pioj.gov.jm
28
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 “Welfare
for some might be illfare for others”
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 of the issues: Social policy
researchers ward against the uncritical
extension of the social policy agenda.
 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.
32
Cautions
of the concepts of “the State”
and “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.
 Definitions
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