The Why's of Social Policy: Perspective on Policy Preferences

(Hardback)

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The field of social policy has produced numerous academic studies, most of which either introduce social policy and welfare programs, or focus on advocacy strategy and tactics. In this work, Hobart Burch takes the much less common approach of examining and explaining the thought, reasons, and philosophy behind social policy and the policy choices that must be made. In a broad-based and comprehensive way, Burch applies general philosophical principles to real-world issues and choices, relating out traditional notions of equality, fairness and liberty to such practical problems as poverty, social welfare, and the welfare state. Blending perspectives from several different professions, Burch provides frameworks for analyzing fundamental social policy issues and choices. He draws on concepts and choices from both recent and historical policies and programs, identifying the "timeless" issues that continually present themselves in slightly different forms. To enable the reader to analyze each new situation and develop creative responses, each chapter identifies a different set of issues and reaching a decision. Among the topics covered are socioeconomic systems, the welfare state, civil rights and entitlements, and policies of taxation and redistribution policies.

Reviews

"This volume combines depth of analysis with an ease of reading which makes it as useful to a thoughtful citizen reader as to students and their instructors in professional schools of planning, social work, business administration, and public administration. Elected officials and senior civil servants would also find this volume of lively interest."-Sheldon Rahn, D.S.W. Former Dean and Emeritus Professor of Social Policy and Social Administration Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada
It introduces a rich cultural dimension to policy formulation and development which reminds one of the current resurgence of interest, in both Europe and North America, in humanistic orientations of action. A fresh respect for history, literature, and the inherited human culture with its symbols and values, is evident.-Administration in Social Work
The book does clarify a largely neglected aspect of social policy analysis and policy advocacy. It introduces a rich cultural dimension to policy formulation and development which reminds one of the current resurgence of interest, in both Europe and North America, in humanistic orientations for action. A fresh respect for history, literature, and the inherited human culture with its symbols and values, is evident.-CANADIAN SOCIAL POLICY DEC
"It introduces a rich cultural dimension to policy formulation and development which reminds one of the current resurgence of interest, in both Europe and North America, in humanistic orientations of action. A fresh respect for history, literature, and the inherited human culture with its symbols and values, is evident."-Administration in Social Work
"The book does clarify a largely neglected aspect of social policy analysis and policy advocacy. It introduces a rich cultural dimension to policy formulation and development which reminds one of the current resurgence of interest, in both Europe and North America, in humanistic orientations for action. A fresh respect for history, literature, and the inherited human culture with its symbols and values, is evident."-CANADIAN SOCIAL POLICY DEC

Author Bio

HOBART A. BURCH is a Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In addition to his career in education, he has worked as a local and national church official, a federal poverty program planner, and a social justice movement leader.