Conceptual Foundations of Social Welfare Policy Chapter 3 Conceptual Foundations of Social Welfare Policy

Ideologies of Social Welfare System Cause and Function Blaming the Victim The Culture of Poverty and the Underclass Conservative and Liberal Political Perspectives Biological Determinism Social Welfare Services as a Right Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Theories of Evolution of the Social Welfare System Six theories to consider

Industrialization and the Social Welfare System Industrial expansion created a need for social welfare policies and programs. Industrialization created new jobs and also poor working conditions Changes in economics, communities, and family relations demanded a change in social welfare polices. Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Cycles of History Policies cycle between individual responsibilities and social responsibilities Between public purpose and private interest Cycles shift with generation with 30 years cycles Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Social Control Those in positions of power use the institutions of the social welfare system to control and direct the behavior of the needy. Residual social welfare programs and low benefits become a tool of control. Policies alternate between periods of minimal benefits and broader ones. Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Elite Power Theory Built of the idea that a “handful” of people control policies Related to social control and dominant class of capitalist Domination of public policy by those who control the resources Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Economics as a Determinant of Social Welfare Policy Economics is a driving force behind the policies and politics of social well-being Times of economic growth are marked by an emphasis on individual responsibility Economic slow downs call for increased demand for government intervention Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Critical Theory Combines elements of social control, elite power, and economics in explaining policy Allows us to evaluate how power and domination impact the social order TANF is an example Call for action Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Paradigms of the Social Welfare System Social Construction Critical Analysis Distributive Justice Strengths-Based Model Social Empathy Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

Social Work Professional Paradigm How do conflicting beliefs enter into a discussion of ideologies, theories, and paradigms? Understanding one’s own beliefs is an important first step in analyzing social welfare policies Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education