SOCIAL WORK MID-TERM

public welfare

• monetary benefits and services provided by a level of government

• associated with income insecurity

stigma around residual approach : deserving poor

sick, disabled, unable to work

stigma around residual approach : undeserving poor

seen to fit to work, responsible for their situation

social democracy

belief that poverty is linked to to capitalism and unequal wealth/power, therefore not mainly the individuals fault

social justice

• the belief that people from all identity groups have the same rights, opportunities, access to resources and benefits.

• acknowledges historical inequalities exist and takes specific measures to help change inequalities

T.H Marshall’s Citizen Rights - Central Idea

social welfare is built on the concept of citizenship

T.H Marshall’s Citizen Rights - Historical Evolution

18th century : acquisition of civil rights (e.g., freedom of speech, property rights)

19th century : acquisition of political rights (e.g., voting, political participation)

20th century : acquisition of social rights (e.g., access to healthcare, education, welfare)

T.H Marshall’s Citizen Rights - role of the state

Citizenship rights are best fulfilled when the state plays on active and comprehensive role in promoting the overall well-being of its citizens

Taxes - by Hugh Segal

Increasing taxes is the third rail of Canadian politics, it will kill any campaign that touches it.

Taxes - by Hugh Segal

The failure to address the direct consequences of tax cut policies is not an oversight, but a decision

3 key features of neoliberalism - Andrew Sayer

1. Markets are default form of economic organization

2. Political and cultural shift compatible with market fundamentalism

3. Shift in the economic class structure of the countries it has most affected

Neoliberalism

• “defining political economic worldview of our time”

• Policies and processes where a handful of private interests are allowed to control as much social life possible in order to maximize their personal profit

Social Welfare definition

• A nation’s systems, programs, benefits, and services that help people meet social, economic, federal, and health needs

• The state of collective of well-being

Social Welfare purpose

• Addresses basic life needs for needy (food, housing, income)

• Reduces disparities in wealth, power, and opportunities

Connection between social work and social welfare

• Social work implements and advocates for social welfare, ensuring people access these systems and promoting social justice and inequity.

CASW Code of ethics

1. Respecting the dignity and worth of all people

2. Promoting social justice

3. Pursuing truth and reconciliation

4. Valuing human relationships

5. Preserving integrity in professional practice

6. Maintaining privacy and confidentiality

7. Providing competent professional services

Guiding principles for the Beveridge report

• Proposals for future shouldn’t be limited to “sectional interests”

• Social Insurance is only part of a “comprehensive policy of social progress”

5 types of traits that society slays/mistreats :

• want

• disease

• ignorance

• idleness

• filth

Institutional approach to social welfare

• The belief that social welfare is a normal and necessary part of society

• Welfare is right

Social policy

a course of action chosen by public authorities to address an issue that deals with human health, safety, or well-being

Human rights

• Instinctive expectation to be treated as a human

• Set of rights put into place

Thought of week #6

Capability measures the opportunities people face, focusing on the limits they face rather than the choices they make

“Income Inequality” graph title (Increasing Inequality harms societies)

• Health and social problems are worse in more unequal countries

Private welfare

• Delivered through non-profit/profit organizations and individuals

• Often provides social services

Tommy Douglas and his social democratic actions

• believed that healthcare shouldn’t have a “price tag on it”

• this is socially democratic because it strives for the equality of all people regardless of their financial status

• he believed the cost should be spread equitably at the basis of your ability to pay in taxes

Social Welfare and Distribution - Andrew Armitage

• Argued for re-evaluation of social welfare policies to address inequality and ensure fairness in redistribution

Elizabeth Poor Law and principles

• Made in 1601

• grounded in belief that only the fear of poverty would make people look for work

• Statutes made to define principles of worthiness for state aid

Economic Inequality harms society

Improving quality of human life by reducing the differences in incomes between us

Residual approach to social welfare

• The belief that social welfare should be a limited and temporary response to human need

• Only offered as last resort when other sources fail

• Offered only to those most in need

Capability depravation

The lack of real opportunities and basic freedoms to achieve the things a person values doing and being

What does universality support?

• supports citizenship, solidarity, and nationhood

• delivers economic benefits

• higher-quality services for everyone

• 
  

Marsh report in Canada

• Proposed a national social insurance system for Canada to replace fragmented and demeaning social welfare programs

• Social insurance pools tax and contribution funds to protect people from unemployment and other social risks, ensuring economic security for all.

• Unemployment threatens stability

• Became Canada’s social framework

Margaret Thatcher

• oversaw significant reductions in social security, benefits, housing, and education budgets

• policies promoted privatization and individualism, changing role of social work and reducing states responsibility for welfare

• policies led to higher socioeconomic and health disparities