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Advanced Introduction to Social Protection
Written by James Midgley, a leading authority on international social policy and social development, this Advanced Introduction offers a concise, readable and wide-ranging overview of how protection schemes such as social assistance, social insurance, employer mandates and social allowances promote social welfare by meeting peoples’ income needs and improving their living standards. It defines the field, traces its historical evolution, discusses the contribution of theories and ideologies and examines its impact on poverty.
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Critical Acclaim
Contents
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Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.
Written by James Midgley, a leading authority on international social policy and social development, this Advanced Introduction offers a concise, readable and wide-ranging overview of how protection schemes such as social assistance, social insurance, employer mandates and social allowances promote social welfare by meeting peoples’ income needs and improving their living standards. It defines the field, traces its historical evolution, discusses the contribution of theories and ideologies and examines its impact on poverty.
Key Features:
• Discussion of the impact of social protection on incomes and living standards and considers the role of social protection in the economy, politics and society
• Examination of the role of theories and ideologies in social protection
• A global perspective with a special focus on social protection in the Global South
• An accessible analysis of the challenges facing social protection and the way these are being dealt with
This perceptive Advanced Introduction will be an excellent resource for both graduates and undergraduates studying public and social policy, economics and the social sciences. It will also be a useful guide for civil servants and officials in international agencies as well as social protection practitioners in non-profits and community organizations.
Written by James Midgley, a leading authority on international social policy and social development, this Advanced Introduction offers a concise, readable and wide-ranging overview of how protection schemes such as social assistance, social insurance, employer mandates and social allowances promote social welfare by meeting peoples’ income needs and improving their living standards. It defines the field, traces its historical evolution, discusses the contribution of theories and ideologies and examines its impact on poverty.
Key Features:
• Discussion of the impact of social protection on incomes and living standards and considers the role of social protection in the economy, politics and society
• Examination of the role of theories and ideologies in social protection
• A global perspective with a special focus on social protection in the Global South
• An accessible analysis of the challenges facing social protection and the way these are being dealt with
This perceptive Advanced Introduction will be an excellent resource for both graduates and undergraduates studying public and social policy, economics and the social sciences. It will also be a useful guide for civil servants and officials in international agencies as well as social protection practitioners in non-profits and community organizations.
Critical Acclaim
‘The increasing forms of vulnerabilities in the past three decades within world nations have accentuated the need and the role of social protection in protecting against forms of vulnerability. The acknowledged important function of social protection is yet to attract similar academic recognition when compared to other disciplines in social sciences. Contributing to making social protection both as a field of study and practice fashionable to scholars, policymakers, and any person is the strongest contribution of Advanced Introduction to Social Protection. Professor James Midgley''s wealth of scholarship, global exposure, and vast knowledge shone through as he painstakingly made social protection both readable, applicable, and conversational, and invited the reader to the ongoing debates in the discipline. His mastery of the field was on full display in each chapter of the book.’
– Chibuikem Charles Nnaeme, International Journal of Community and Social Development
‘In this very readable volume, Professor James Midgley provides readers with a thorough and comprehensive introduction to the field of social protection. This ambitious book starts by introducing and defining essential social policy terminology and offers a well-balanced short history of the evolution of social policies. In quick steps, the author leads the reader through an overview of theories and ideologies, the nature and extent of global poverty and the COVID–19 crisis. In turn, Midgley discusses the impact that politics and the electoral process have on growth and development and the constantly evolving concepts of socioeconomic equality and inequality. As a core element in this work, the book addresses the challenges and opportunities for expanding social protection in its multiple forms and calls for a rights-based approach to social protection, which recognizes access to basic social policies as a human right.’
– Silvia Borzutzky, Carnegie Mellon University, US
‘In protecting the poor and enhancing social justice, social protection is of key importance – yet, compared to other social systems, from schools to streets, it has received scant attention. James Midgley, drawing on a wealth of scholarship, introduces social protection – its global history, underlying concepts and values, its impact and the challenges it faces. Showing the importance of social protection, while demonstrating its breadth and complexity, this book makes an important contribution to the promotion of social justice.’
– David Piachaud, London School of Economics, UK
‘James Midgley’s Advanced Introduction to Social Protection is a welcome addition to contemporary social protection literature. It provides an excellent appraisal of social protection theory, practice, impacts on poverty and inequality, and the economic and societal contexts that shape these policies around the world. It is highly recommended for post graduate students, scholars and policy makers.’
– Leila Patel, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
– Chibuikem Charles Nnaeme, International Journal of Community and Social Development
‘In this very readable volume, Professor James Midgley provides readers with a thorough and comprehensive introduction to the field of social protection. This ambitious book starts by introducing and defining essential social policy terminology and offers a well-balanced short history of the evolution of social policies. In quick steps, the author leads the reader through an overview of theories and ideologies, the nature and extent of global poverty and the COVID–19 crisis. In turn, Midgley discusses the impact that politics and the electoral process have on growth and development and the constantly evolving concepts of socioeconomic equality and inequality. As a core element in this work, the book addresses the challenges and opportunities for expanding social protection in its multiple forms and calls for a rights-based approach to social protection, which recognizes access to basic social policies as a human right.’
– Silvia Borzutzky, Carnegie Mellon University, US
‘In protecting the poor and enhancing social justice, social protection is of key importance – yet, compared to other social systems, from schools to streets, it has received scant attention. James Midgley, drawing on a wealth of scholarship, introduces social protection – its global history, underlying concepts and values, its impact and the challenges it faces. Showing the importance of social protection, while demonstrating its breadth and complexity, this book makes an important contribution to the promotion of social justice.’
– David Piachaud, London School of Economics, UK
‘James Midgley’s Advanced Introduction to Social Protection is a welcome addition to contemporary social protection literature. It provides an excellent appraisal of social protection theory, practice, impacts on poverty and inequality, and the economic and societal contexts that shape these policies around the world. It is highly recommended for post graduate students, scholars and policy makers.’
– Leila Patel, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Contents
Contents: Introduction to the Advanced Introduction to Social Protection 1. Definitions, terms and meanings 2. Historical perspectives 3. Theories, values and ideologies 4. Incomes, poverty and living standards 5. Society, the economy and politics 6. Challenges and opportunities References Index
