Social Policy
Theories, Concepts and Issues
- Michael Lavalette - University of Liverpool, UK
- Alan Pratt - University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
Social Policy (General)
The book is organized into three parts:
• Part One offers a detailed but accessible critique of major theoretical approaches such as neo-liberalism, Marxism, feminism and racism;
• Part Two explores conceptual debates such as distributive justice and postmodernism;
• PArt Three engages with contemporary social policy issues such as children, pensions and the role of New Labour.
It also features newly commissioned chapters to reflect recent developments and current debates within social policy. New areas of consideration include:
• Citizenship
• Post-structuralism
• The politics of food
• Globalization
Student exercises and reading lists feature throughout the text and practical examples are skilfully used to illustrate conceptual and theoretical material, making it the ideal core textbook for undergraduate social policy students, as well as those studying related welfare modules across the social sciences.
This book offers relevant information regarding social policy with guidance regarding additional resources.
This is a very well laid out book full of information regarding Social Policies and makes relevant links between the theory and the concept of Social Policies. This book clearly identifies how policies shape practice and this is backed up by examples throughout, enabling students understand and debate this.
I love and my students love this book. It is clear, easy to follow and has a fantastic range of content.
Useful text, well organised and up to date issues discussed in a UK context.
This is a good book that looks at social policy issues in various contexts. Due to the variety of discussions and concepts covered, it lends itself well to a variety of courses, and as such to social work.
This book is a must read for the Social Policy and Social Administration course that I teach. It is important as it provides the link between the theories and concepts in social policy. Easy to understand.
This text provides a brilliant introduction. It sets out in an accessible manner a wide range of theoretical approaches, debates and contemporary issues. This enables a clear link to be made between ideas and there impact on the practice context. In turn this helps reinforce the understanding of theoretical and policy issues by providing examples of how these issues play out in practice. The text captures the sense of debate and promotes critical thinking and awareness.
The text provides a general introduction to social policy but also engages well in the theoretical aspects. This edition also provides a useful update to the earlier versions of the text. It to be recommended reading on the course because students in this module recap a number of key theoretical and conceptual elements of social policy and learn to reflect upon these in relation to voluntary and community sector organizations involved in the delivery of social policy.
Not specific enough information for the course
This text is very good for students who are new to the study of social policy.
