Social policy in challenging times: Economic crisis and welfare systems

Description

There is no precedent to the current economic crisis which looks set to redefine social policy debate throughout the globe. But its effects are not uniform across nations. Bringing together a range of expert contributions, the key lesson to emerge from this book is that 'the crisis' is better understood as a variety of crises, each mediated by national context. Consequently, there is an array of potential trajectories for welfare systems, from those where social policy is regarded as incompatible with the post-crisis economy to those where it is considered essential to future economic growth and security.

Kevin Farnsworth is Lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Sheffield. He main research interest is in the political economy of welfare, including the relationship between business, labour and social policy. His first book was entitled Corporate Power and Social Policy (2004), published by Policy Press. Zoe Irving is Lecturer in Comparative Social Policy at the University of Sheffield. Her current research interests focus primarily on social policies in small states and the changing patterns of men's employment. She has previously published in the areas of gender and employment and social policy in small island states.

"The financial crash of 2008 is reshaping welfare systems, but in different and unexpected ways. This book provides a compelling guide." Andrew Gamble, University of Cambridge "This book makes a significant contribution to the political economy of welfare. Taken together, the various analyses of the impact of the 2008-9 financial crisis on key welfare systems provide an important and timely insight into the challenges currently facing social policy across the globe." Nick Ellison, University of Leeds