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Social Democratic Parties and the Working Class: New Voting Patterns (Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century)

by Line Rennwald

This open access book carefully explores the relationship between social democracy and its working-class electorate in Western Europe. Relying on different indicators, it demonstrates an important transformation in the class basis of social democracy. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the working-class vote is strongly fragmented and social democratic parties face competition on multiple fronts for their core electorate – and not only from radical right parties. Starting from a reflection on ‘working-class parties’ and using a sophisticated class schema, the book paints a nuanced and diversified picture of the trajectory of social democracy that goes beyond a simple shift from working-class to middle-class parties. Following a detailed description, the book reviews possible explanations of workers' new voting patterns and emphasizes the crucial changes in parties' ideologies. It closes with a discussion on the role of the working class in social democracy's future electoral strategies.

Social Democratic Parties in the European Union: History, Organization, Policies

by Robert Ladrech Philippe Marliere

This book offers a concise and accessible coverage of the historical background, the organization and policies of the fifteen social democratic parties in the European Union with a focus on the 1945-1990s period. It combines an updated study of the evolution of each party's ideology, sociology and policies, with attention also to the impact of European integration on the fortunes of social democratic forces. The book can be used as a reference text by academics, students and political practitioners and contains contact details and important reference information for each party.

The Social Democratic Parties in the Visegrád Countries: Predicaments and Prospects for Progressivism

by Ania Skrzypek András Bíró-Nagy

This book provides an in-depth analysis of the social democratic parties in the four member states of the so-called “Visegrád Group”- Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The timeline spans the last two decades, which saw the parties in question come to power, govern and collapse. The case studies of all four countries are structured in the same way, offering: explanation of the historical background (including electoral results), analyses of the context, structures, membership and voters; evaluation of the programmes and hypotheses for potential future trajectories. Given the European relevance of the topic, the fifth chapter provides a comparative analysis, with a handful of explanations as to why Visegrád Group countries have proved to be tough partners in European integration processes.

Social Democratic Party Policies in Contemporary Europe (Routledge/ECPR Studies In European Political Science Ser. #Vol. 30)

by Giuliano Bonoli Martin A. Powell

The end of the twentieth century saw an unprecedented coincidence of electoral success for Social Democratic parties in western Europe leading to intensive discussion on the future of this new European left. The debates often centred on the notion of a ‘Third Way’ and generated major expectations for policy change among Social Democratic politicians and voters. The authors collected here examine the recent social and employment policies of these progressive parties, looking for change in the guiding principles of policy and on actual policy decisions. They show how the maxims of demand management and egalitarianism have been replaced by social investment and equality of opportunity and demonstrate the full extent of convergence on policies such as employment maximization, the containment of social expenditure and a shift towards a social investment welfare state. The book includes case studies on the Social Democratic parties of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and the UK as well as on the Party of European Socialists.

Social Democratic Party Policies in Contemporary Europe (Routledge/ECPR Studies In European Political Science Ser. #Vol. 30)

by Giuliano Bonoli Martin A. Powell

The end of the twentieth century saw an unprecedented coincidence of electoral success for Social Democratic parties in western Europe leading to intensive discussion on the future of this new European left. The debates often centred on the notion of a ‘Third Way’ and generated major expectations for policy change among Social Democratic politicians and voters. The authors collected here examine the recent social and employment policies of these progressive parties, looking for change in the guiding principles of policy and on actual policy decisions. They show how the maxims of demand management and egalitarianism have been replaced by social investment and equality of opportunity and demonstrate the full extent of convergence on policies such as employment maximization, the containment of social expenditure and a shift towards a social investment welfare state. The book includes case studies on the Social Democratic parties of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and the UK as well as on the Party of European Socialists.

The Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities

by Paula Braveman

A growing body of knowledge has revealed the profound impact of the social determinants of healththe social, political, and economic factors apart from health care that influence health. The question is no longer if social factors are important influences on health, but rather how social factors operate and how to address them most effectively, efficiently, and equitably. Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities is a comprehensive resource for students and educators to understand the wide-ranging effects of social and political factors, including racism, on individual health. Drawing on Paula Braveman's seminal work in health equity, this volume explains how upstream drivers like law and policy are at the beginning of causal chains influencing health, and in particular how systemic issues like racism are core drivers of health outcomes. Each chapter examines how different social determinants of healthsuch as income, education, stress, work, and racismare impacted by upstream social factors and how those factors influence health and health disparities through complex pathways. Chapters also include approaches for future practitioners and policymakers to most effectively activate health-promoting pathways while interrupting health-damaging ones. Complete with chapter summaries and discussion questions, Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities is the definitive classroom guide to understanding and addressing social disparities in health, particularly racial and socioeconomic disparities.

The Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities

by Paula Braveman

A growing body of knowledge has revealed the profound impact of the social determinants of healththe social, political, and economic factors apart from health care that influence health. The question is no longer if social factors are important influences on health, but rather how social factors operate and how to address them most effectively, efficiently, and equitably. Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities is a comprehensive resource for students and educators to understand the wide-ranging effects of social and political factors, including racism, on individual health. Drawing on Paula Braveman's seminal work in health equity, this volume explains how upstream drivers like law and policy are at the beginning of causal chains influencing health, and in particular how systemic issues like racism are core drivers of health outcomes. Each chapter examines how different social determinants of healthsuch as income, education, stress, work, and racismare impacted by upstream social factors and how those factors influence health and health disparities through complex pathways. Chapters also include approaches for future practitioners and policymakers to most effectively activate health-promoting pathways while interrupting health-damaging ones. Complete with chapter summaries and discussion questions, Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities is the definitive classroom guide to understanding and addressing social disparities in health, particularly racial and socioeconomic disparities.

Social Development: Theory and Practice

by James O. Midgley

Walking through social development’s key theoretical principles and practice strategies, this book shows how it promotes peoples’ wellbeing not only in the Global South, where it first emerged, but in the Western countries as well. It covers: Definitions and an historical evolution of social development Key theoretical debates around social well-being, human rights and social justice Social development practice such as human capital interventions, community development and cooperatives, asset building, employment creation policies and programmes, microenterprises and social planning among others Future challenges; global poverty, international aid and trade, and global inequality, conflict and injustice. Complete with international examples drawn from around the world, Social Development: Theory and Practice demonstrates how social development theory translates into practical application. This book is essential reading for students in development studies, social policy, public administration and social work, and for policymakers and development practitioners everywhere. James Midgley is the Harry and Riva Specht Professor of Public Social Services at the School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley.

Social Development: Theory and Practice (PDF)

by James O. Midgley

Walking through social development’s key theoretical principles and practice strategies, this book shows how it promotes peoples’ wellbeing not only in the Global South, where it first emerged, but in the Western countries as well. It covers: Definitions and an historical evolution of social development Key theoretical debates around social well-being, human rights and social justice Social development practice such as human capital interventions, community development and cooperatives, asset building, employment creation policies and programmes, microenterprises and social planning among others Future challenges; global poverty, international aid and trade, and global inequality, conflict and injustice. Complete with international examples drawn from around the world, Social Development: Theory and Practice demonstrates how social development theory translates into practical application. This book is essential reading for students in development studies, social policy, public administration and social work, and for policymakers and development practitioners everywhere. James Midgley is the Harry and Riva Specht Professor of Public Social Services at the School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley.

Social Development and Public Policy

by D. Ghai

The book shows, through in-depth case studies, how some low income countries have made enormous strides in overcoming problems of adult literacy, lack of schooling, high child mortality, rapid population growth, mass poverty and gender inequalities. With contributions from outstanding scholars, the book analyses the experiences with social development and public policy of Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Kerala, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Using a holistic approach, it draws lessons and evaluates their relevance for other countries interested in emulating their achievements.

Social Development and Social Work Perspectives on Social Protection

by Julie Drolet

Social protection is now considered a development milestone and an important tool in combating poverty. Interventions can include, for example, health insurance, public works programs, guaranteed employment schemes, or cash transfers targeting vulnerable populations groups. This innovative volume is designed to develop understanding about the role and contribution of social protection globally and to share innovative practice and policies from around the world. It explores how to cover an entire population effectively, especially those who are at risk or who are already in a situation of deprivation, and in a sustainable manner. Divided into two parts, the book begins by exploring the theoretical underpinnings of social protection, discussing the social work and social development perspectives and concepts that currently shape it. The second part is comprised of case studies from countries implementing successful social protection initiatives, including Brazil, India, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Indonesia, and reveals how the impact of a successful social protection intervention on poverty, vulnerability and inequality can be dramatic. This volume is an important reference for advanced students and researchers from a range of disciplines including social policy, social work, development studies, geography, planning, economics, sociology, population health and political science.

Social Development and Social Work Perspectives on Social Protection

by Julie L. Drolet

Social protection is now considered a development milestone and an important tool in combating poverty. Interventions can include, for example, health insurance, public works programs, guaranteed employment schemes, or cash transfers targeting vulnerable populations groups. This innovative volume is designed to develop understanding about the role and contribution of social protection globally and to share innovative practice and policies from around the world. It explores how to cover an entire population effectively, especially those who are at risk or who are already in a situation of deprivation, and in a sustainable manner. Divided into two parts, the book begins by exploring the theoretical underpinnings of social protection, discussing the social work and social development perspectives and concepts that currently shape it. The second part is comprised of case studies from countries implementing successful social protection initiatives, including Brazil, India, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Indonesia, and reveals how the impact of a successful social protection intervention on poverty, vulnerability and inequality can be dramatic. This volume is an important reference for advanced students and researchers from a range of disciplines including social policy, social work, development studies, geography, planning, economics, sociology, population health and political science.

Social Development in Asia (Social Indicators Research Series #5)

by Kwong-LeungTang

Most Asian countries have shown a strong commitment to rapid economic development. Economists have argued that the fruits from economic development will be spread equitably throughout the population. In the absence of a strong tradition of social rights, social development in Asia has long been taken for granted. This collection documents social development in the Asian countries of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and India and concludes that social development has lagged behind economic development. This has given rise to `distorted development' in many countries. Serious development problems of poverty and inequalities have lingered even in these economically advanced countries of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. These problems have been exacerbated in the wake of the Asian economic crisis. In order to harmonize social development with economic growth, Asian states ought to be more proactive in their development agendas. As a text on social development in Asia, this book is primarily intended for practitioners and students of social work, social administration, and social policy. It is also relevant for students and practitioners of sociology, economics, and public policy.

Social Development in Kerala: Illusion or Reality?

by Sundar Ramanathaiyer Stewart MacPherson

This title was first published in 2000: There has been considerable academic interest in the innovative development programme taking place in Kerala, India. Much has been published on the specific "achievements" of the programme, such as literacy, health care, communication and demographic indicators. However, lurking beneath the surface are the harsh realities of chronic unemployment, poverty and deprivation among the elderly and weaker sections of the society, the oppression of women and the inefficiency of the government. These problems are revealed in this book through in-depth empirical research undertaken by a native Keralan. In the light of this material, this text questions whether the Kerala model of development should indeed be regarded as worth emulation.

Social Development in Kerala: Illusion or Reality?

by Sundar Ramanathaiyer Stewart MacPherson

This title was first published in 2000: There has been considerable academic interest in the innovative development programme taking place in Kerala, India. Much has been published on the specific "achievements" of the programme, such as literacy, health care, communication and demographic indicators. However, lurking beneath the surface are the harsh realities of chronic unemployment, poverty and deprivation among the elderly and weaker sections of the society, the oppression of women and the inefficiency of the government. These problems are revealed in this book through in-depth empirical research undertaken by a native Keralan. In the light of this material, this text questions whether the Kerala model of development should indeed be regarded as worth emulation.

Social Development in the World Bank: Essays in Honor of Michael M. Cernea

by Maritta Koch-Weser Scott Guggenheim

This open access book honors the work of Michael Cernea, who was the World Bank’s first professional sociologist, by taking on and extending his arguments for "putting people first.” Cernea led a community of social scientists in formulating and promoting a comprehensive set of innovative and original social policies on development issues, which the World Bank adopted and implemented. This book includes globally significant work on urban and rural development, the epistemology of using social science knowledge in national and international development, methodologies for using social organization for more effective poverty reduction, and the experience of crafting social policies to become normative frameworks for purposive collective social action. And by including contributions from senior policy makers in the World Bank who helped shepherd social science's entry into development policy and practice, it provides a unique look at how organizational change can happen.

Social Dialogue in the Gig Economy: A Comparative Empirical Analysis


As our digital economy continues to expand, gig work becomes increasingly significant. This incisive book investigates the ways in which social dialogue can reinforce decent working practices and create inclusive workplaces in the growing gig economy, putting forward a framework for structured dialogue and collective bargaining among social partners, platforms, and workers.Centred on four major case studies – Germany, Greece, Switzerland, and the UK – the book analyses the key challenges that characterise the varied European landscape of gig economies and workforces. With a particular focus on the hospitality, driving, and food delivery sectors, chapters explore the intersection of social partners’ responses and gig workers’ capacity to organise and build collective voice. Examining the complicated and overlapping linkages between workers’ rights, social protection, social dialogue, and decent work, the book aims to expose, and ultimately put an end to, precariousness and exploitation in the context of gig labour.Integrating critical theoretical perspectives and methodologies with context-sensitive evidence, this book will be an essential resource for students and scholars of sociology, social policy, labour policy, employment relations, and human resource management. Its examination of timely questions of collective action and social dialogue in the gig economy will also appeal to activists, journalists, social partners, and policymakers.

Social Dictatorships: The Political Economy of the Welfare State in the Middle East and North Africa

by Ferdinand Eibl

Why have social spending levels and social policy trajectories diverged so drastically across labour-abundant Middle Eastern and North African regimes? And how can we explain the marked persistence of spending levels after divergence? Using historical institutionalism and a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods Social Dictatorships: The Political Economy of the Welfare State in the Middle East and North Africa develops an explanation of social spending in authoritarian regimes. It emphasizes the importance of early elite conflict and attempts to form a durable support coalition under the constraints imposed by external threats and scarce resources. Social Dictatorships utilizes two in-depth case studies of the political origins of the Tunisian and Egyptian welfare state to provide an empirical overview of how social policies have developed in the region, and to explain the marked differences in social policy trajectories. It follows a multi-level approach tested comparatively at the cross-country level and process-traced at micro-level by these case studies.

Social Dictatorships: The Political Economy of the Welfare State in the Middle East and North Africa

by Ferdinand Eibl

Why have social spending levels and social policy trajectories diverged so drastically across labour-abundant Middle Eastern and North African regimes? And how can we explain the marked persistence of spending levels after divergence? Using historical institutionalism and a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods Social Dictatorships: The Political Economy of the Welfare State in the Middle East and North Africa develops an explanation of social spending in authoritarian regimes. It emphasizes the importance of early elite conflict and attempts to form a durable support coalition under the constraints imposed by external threats and scarce resources. Social Dictatorships utilizes two in-depth case studies of the political origins of the Tunisian and Egyptian welfare state to provide an empirical overview of how social policies have developed in the region, and to explain the marked differences in social policy trajectories. It follows a multi-level approach tested comparatively at the cross-country level and process-traced at micro-level by these case studies.

Social Dilemmas: Understanding Human Cooperation

by Paul Van Lange Daniel P. Balliet Craig D. Parks Mark van Vugt

One of the key scientific challenges is the puzzle of human cooperation. Why do people cooperate? Why do people help strangers, even sometimes at a major cost to themselves? Why do people want to punish people who violate norms and undermine collective interests? This book is inspired by the fact that social dilemmas, defined in terms of conflicts between (often short-term) self-interest and (often longer-term) collective interest, are omnipresent. The book centers on two major themes. The first theme centers on the theoretical understanding of human cooperation: are people indeed other-regarding? The second theme is more practical, and perhaps normative: how can cooperation be promoted? This question is at the heart of the functioning of relationships, organizations, as well as the society as a whole. In capturing the breadth and relevance of social dilemmas and psychology of human cooperation, this book is structured in three parts. The first part focuses on the definition of social dilemmas, along with the historical development of scientific theorizing of human cooperation and the development of social dilemma as a game in which to study cooperation. The second part presents three chapters, each of which adopts a relatively unique perspective on human cooperation: an evolutionary perspective, a psychological perspective, and a cultural perspective. The third part focuses on applications of social dilemmas in domains as broad and important as management and organizations, environmental issues, politics, national security, and health. Social Dilemmas is strongly inspired by the notion that science is never finished. Each chapter therefore concludes with a discussion of two (or more) basic issues that are often inherently intriguing, and often need more research and theory. The concluding chapter outlines avenues for future directions.

The Social Distance Between Us: How Remote Politics Wrecked Britain

by Darren McGarvey

*A RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK*If all the best people are in all the top jobs, then why is Britain such a fucking bin fire?Britain is in a long-distance relationship with reality. A ravine cuts through it, partitioning the powerful from the powerless, the vocal from the voiceless, the fortunate from those too often forgotten. This distance dictates how we identify and relate to society's biggest issues - from homelessness and poverty to policing and overrun prisons - ultimately determining how, and whether, we strive to resolve them. So why, for generations, has a select group of people with very limited experience of social inequality been charged with discussing and debating it?I've sat on cold pavements with beggars, asking them why they would rather wander the streets than live in supported accommodation. I've pleaded with alcoholics to give sobriety one last shot before they end up dead - and read their obituaries in the paper weeks later. I've sat with youth workers at their wits' end as diversionary services are cut amid a surge in gang and knife violence. Too many people remain so far from this nightmarish social reality that even when they would earnestly wish to bring about change, they don't know where to start. So start here.Praise for Darren McGarvey:'The standout, authentic voice of a generation' Herald'Utterly compelling' Ian Rankin, New Statesman'Brilliant' Russell Brand'An absolutely fascinating individual' Owen Jones'Offer[s] an antidote to populist anger that transcends left and right... articulate and emotional' Financial Times'McGarvey is a rarity: a working-class writer who has fought to make the middle-class world hear what he has to say' Nick Cohen, Guardian

A Social Dreaming Experience at the Time of COVID 19 (New Paradigms in Healthcare)

by Elisabetta Pasini Cinzia Trimboli

The book describes the experience of four Social Dreaming Matrices held online between March and May 2020, during the first lockdown caused by the Covid 19 emergency. The pandemic isolated us and imposed prolonged contact with ourselves and our solitary thoughts. Against this backdrop, there was hope for change, a desire for a different kind of sociability and different forms of intimacy. On the basis of this evidence, our research supports the shift "from experiencing trauma to reacting to trauma", looking at a collective traumatic experience not only as something to be overcome but as an opportunity for a transformation that changes our mental schemes in relation to the external context. We have identified Social Dreaming as a privileged technique to overcome a collective traumatic experience, supporting its elaboration through collective feelings, new connections between intuition and rational thought, the discovery of community meanings. The authors's thesis is that the much-needed transition from 'magical thinking' to 'transformative thinking' takes place in a setting that is able to contain the anxieties of life's transitional phases, supporting the creation of new rituals and new social bonds and sustaining the passage from “me” to a “wider we”.

Social Dynamics in Swiss Society: Empirical Studies Based on the Swiss Household Panel (Life Course Research and Social Policies #9)

by Robin Tillmann Marieke Voorpostel Peter Farago

Using longitudinal data from the Swiss Household Panel to zoom in on continuity and change in the life course, this open access book describes how the lives of the Swiss population have changed in terms of health, family circumstances, work, political participation, and migration over the last sixteen years. What are the different trajectories in terms of mobility, health, wealth, and family constellations? What are the drivers behind all these changes over time and in the life course? And what are the implications for inequality in society and for social policy? The Swiss Household Panel is a unique ongoing longitudinal survey that has followed a large sample of Swiss households since 1999. The data provide the rare opportunity to go beyond a snapshot of contemporary Swiss society and give insight into the processes in people’s lives and in society that lie behind recent developments.

The Social Dynamics Of Peace And Conflict: Culture In International Security

by Robert A Rubinstein Mary Lecron Foster

This volume shows the importance for international security studies for better understanding the social dynamics of peace and conflict. It illustrates the crucial role that culture and symbols play in facilitating peace or fostering conflict and intended for anthropologists widely.

The Social Dynamics Of Peace And Conflict: Culture In International Security

by Robert A Rubinstein Mary Lecron Foster

This volume shows the importance for international security studies for better understanding the social dynamics of peace and conflict. It illustrates the crucial role that culture and symbols play in facilitating peace or fostering conflict and intended for anthropologists widely.

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