Social Policy Test #1

Social Welfare

A system of social policies and programs designed to ensure the well-being of people.

Economic Social Welfare Indicators

Gross domestic product (GDP), gross revenue, and unemployment rates.

Non-Economic Social Welfare Indicator

Social determinants of health

Social Welfare Systems Consists Of…

Family and friends, mix of public, private non-profit, and for-profit provision.

Core Institutions

The state, the market, civil society, family/household.

Social Policy

Concerned with the public administration of welfare services, including the formulation, development, and management of services.

Social Welfare Policy

Anything a government chooses to do, or not to do, that affects the quality of life of its people. Includes nearly everything the government does.

Polices

Guidelines or strategies adopted by governments or organizations to guide decisions and achieve goals. Generally less binding.

Laws

Serve as formal instruments of policy. Legally binding, created by legislatures, and enforced by courts to govern society.

Who created the “welfare state” term?

William Temple in 1941.

Welfare State

Aims to reduce social and economic inequities, to protect the health and well-being of its communities and citizens, especially those in social and financial need.

Disruptive Events (Welfare State)

Sickness, poverty, and unemployment.

Social Safety Net

“Catches” individuals and families in need, and is designed to help them get back on their feet.

Key Welfare State Elements

• The use of government powers to provide essential social services to citizens.

• Use of grants, taxes, pensions, and other programs to provide basic income security.

Economic Survival-Related Contingency

Unemployment, retirement, decreasing income, rising prices

Integrity of the Person-Related Contigency

Disability, illness, violence, homelessness, substance use, racism, discrimination, warfare, death

Survival of the Family-Related Contingency

Separation, divorce, child custody and protection, the care of aging family members.

Income Security Programs

Designed to protect citizens from unforeseen economic disruptions. Provided by the three levels of government.

Social Services

Personal or community services that provide non-monetary aid to those in need (CPS, shelters, drop-in centres, counselling).

Social Policies

Set the framework for social welfare activity.

Public Welfare

Monetary benefits and services provided directly from the government that is typically associated with income security.

Private Welfare

Delivered through non- or for-profit organizations and individuals.

Welfare Pluralism

These terms are used broadly to describe the multiple arrangements and public-private partnerships for the provision of social welfare.

Minimum Income Security Program

For those without income (social assistance)

Income Supplementation Security Program

Addition to earned income

Social Insurance Security Program

Shared risk between contributing parties - individuals, government, employers.

Demogrants Income Security Program

Flat-rate programs based on demographic characteristics, such as age or the number of children.

Universal Programs

Available to everyone in a specific category, regardless of income or financial situation. Basic eligibility criteria may need to be met, but no further test of need is required.

Benefits of Universal Programs

• Have lower administration costs

• Lower or no stigma

• Promote solidarity in society

Critiques of Universal Programs

• Too costly

• Why should average taxpayers sponsor the rich?

Canada’s First Universal Program

The Family Allowance (Baby Bonus 1945-992)

Targeted (Selective) Programs

Targets those identified as ‘in need’ and provide benefits based on a means test (income test or needs test) with complex selection criteria based on income, work history, or willingness to find a job.

Residual Approach

Passive protection system that is a temporary response to those most in need. Government plays a limited role and state intervention is seen as a last resort.

Institutional Approach

Ensures a reasonable standard of living and well-being/health for all citizens. Publicly funded and organized programs are aimed to ‘even out’ economic differences.

Structural Approach

Social problems are seen as a built-in feature of an exploitive, oppressive, capitalist society. Calls for radical change in society’s major institutions rather than provision of social welfare benefits.

Social Investment Approach

Aims to integrate the economic and social objectives underlying social welfare through investment in “human capital”

“Left” and “Right” Origin

France, 1789

“Left Wing” Origin

Supporters of the French revolution who sat on that specific side of the president. Determined to be unloyal to the old regime.

“Right Wing” Origin

Religion and the King who supported the president. Determined to be loyal to the old regime.

Neoliberalism

Describes 20th century resurgence of ideas associated with free-market capitalism and reductions of government spending. Associated with right-wing parties.

Collectivism

Institutional social welfare approaches that emphasize citizen rights and welfare of society.

Individualism

Residual approaches to social welfare that emphasize individual and market reliance.

Populism

Strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are ‘disregarded’ by the ‘elite’. Presents themselves as ‘one of the folks’.

Autocracy

One person has absolute power (dictator), often interchangeable with totalitarianism.

Totalitarianism

• Centralized and dictatorial government that requires complete subservice to the state.

• Relies on a strong army that is headed by military or a charismatic leader.

Oligarchy

Form of power structure where power rests with a small number of people who may be distinguished by things like nobility, fame, wealth, etc.

Kleptocracy (Thievocracy)

Corrupt leaders use political power to appropriate the wealth of the people by embezzling or misappropriating government funds.

Plutocracy (Plutarchy)

Society that is ruled or controlled by people of great wealth or income and is not rooted in any specific political philosophy.

Conservative/Neo-Liberal Ideology (Anti-Collectivists)

• Focus on freedom, individualism, and inevitability of inequality.

• Social welfare creates dependency on government and hinders freedom and individualism.

• Limited government intervention.

Liberal Ideology (Reluctant Collectivists)

• Pragmatism, liberty, individualism, inevitability of inequality and humanism.

• Some government regulation of market to maintain stability - strong support of insurance principles.

• Risk should be spread evenly. Mix of targeted and universal programs.

Social (New) Democratic Ideology

• Social inequality, social justice, economic freedom, fellowship, and cooperation.

• Favours public income security and high levels of government regulation of economy.

• Advocates for universal programs, full employment, citizenship engagement.

Socialist Ideology (Marx, Engels, Lenin)

• Freedom, collectivism, equality.

• Favours system whereby a society’s production and distribution systems are owned by the members of society.

• Against private property and enterprise.

Keynesian Economics (Fiscal Policy)

• Based on thoughts of John Maynard ____.

• Popular post WWII. Economy is based on aggregate demand - total spending of consumers, business investors and public agencies.

• Advocates government spending to stimulate economy.

Increase in Aggregate Demand

Leads to an increased national income (multipler effect).

Solution to Unemployment

Not a drop in wages, but government spending to increase demand, while purposely taking on governments deficits.

Monetarism (Monetary Policy)

• Milton Friedman concept 60s-80s. Economy should be managed by controlling money supply (quantity of money in economy).

• Interest rates keep inflation in check. Some unemployment is necessary.

NAIRU

Non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment.

NAIRU Concept

• Natural, acceptable, and beneficial level of unemployment.

• Advocates for control of consumer and business spending through interest rates (supply-side economics).

Political Economy

• Operation of economic markets is tied to private concentrations of ownership and is essentially exploitive. -

• Social welfare only serves to maintain an oppressive economic system.

Liberal Anglo-Saxon

• Classical liberalism. Employs principles from poor law, benefits are low (incentive to work), benefits are limited (needs-based and residual).

• Emphasis on reducing taxation and expenditures.

Social Democratic (Nordic/Scandinavian)

• Emphasis on citizenship rights and universal/comprehensive benefits.

• Institutional approach aims for full employment, elimination of poverty, access to health care, jobs, and decent retirement.

• High level of personal and corporate taxation.

Conservative/Corporatist Europe

• Authority, tradition, and resistance to change.

• Provide employment-based income maintainence to uphold status quo.

• No focus on eradicating poverty or redistributing income.

Neysmith (1991)

Connection of public and private labour, production, and reproduction.

Sainsbury (1999)

Typology of regimes that includes gender relationships and notions of caring.

Male-Breadwinner Regimes

Male privilege. “Head of household”, women play domestic roles. Unequal entitlements.

Individual Earner-Carer Regimes

Shared roles between men and women leading to equal rights. Both are entitled to be considered earners and/or caregivers. Unpaid caregiving work has same benefits entitlement as paid labour work.

Constitution Act (1867)

Originally established by the British Parliament through the British North America Act.

Balfour Declaration (1926)

British government expressed intent to grant full autonomy to regions like Canada.

Statute of Westminster (1931)

British Parliament gave legal recognition to the autonomy of Canada and other Dominions.

Westminster-Style Democracy

“Divided sovereignty” - three levels of government.

Federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal.

Canada’s Systems of Government

Three branches.

1. Legislative branch (Parliament, passes laws)

2. Executive (executes laws)

   1. Judicial (interprets them)

The Crown

King Charles III formal head of state. Governor General represents and carries out the duties of the head of state.

Governor General

Appointed by the King, based on the recommendation of the Prime Minister for a non-specific term (~5 years).

The Senate

Upper house of the federal legislature. Has 105 members appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister’s advice.

House of Commons

Lower house of federal legislature. Has 343 elected members.

National Elections

Citizens elect representatives of their respective ridings (geographic electoral districts in which voters reside) to the House of Commons.

Plurality Voting System

Candidates need to attain the most votes of any candidate rather than a majority vote.

Prime Minister (PM)

Political party that wins the largest number of seats forms the government, and the party leader becomes this.

Members of Parliament (MPs)

Belong to a political party. Term cannot exceed 5 years and an election must occur by the end of said time.

Senators

Appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, to serve until age 75.

Senate

Provides regional representation from all over the country.

Provinces

Get their power directly from the Constitution Act, 1867 and have co-sovereignty with the federal government.

Territories

Have powers delegated to them by the Parliament of Canada.

Lieutenant Governor

Each province has one who represents the King and is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of PM.

Commissioners

Each territory has one who represent the federal government.

Legislature

This by each province/territory makes law. Called differently depending on region.

Legislature: 7 Provinces and All Territories

Legislative Assembly, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)

Legislature: Ontario

Provincial Parliament; Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs)

Legislature: Nova Scotia and Newfoundland

House of Assembly; Members of the House of Assembly (MHAs)

Legislation: Quebec

National Assembly; Members of the National Assembly (MNAs).

Premier

Provincial election determines this and are based on the same principles. Political party with the largest number of votes forms the government, and its leader becomes this.

Territories Premiers

Known as Government Leaders instead.