Social Welfare Services & Issues Lecture Notes PDF
Document Details
Uploaded by AudibleIntellect2779
Tags
Summary
These lecture notes cover various aspects of social policy planning and analysis, including definitions, models, and key elements. Information about Social Policy, different models of policy planning, and the process are included in this document.
Full Transcript
SS1011 Social Welfare Services & Issues Lecture 3 – Social Policy Planning and Analysis (I) What is Social Policy? Social welfare institutions are established by policies and laws, with the programs and services being provided by voluntary (private) and governmental agencies (public). There...
SS1011 Social Welfare Services & Issues Lecture 3 – Social Policy Planning and Analysis (I) What is Social Policy? Social welfare institutions are established by policies and laws, with the programs and services being provided by voluntary (private) and governmental agencies (public). Therefore, Social policy is: the policy of a government with regard to action having direct impact on the welfare of the citizens, by providing them with services or income. (Marshall, 1965) those acts of government deliberately designed to improve the welfare of the civil population. (Richard Titmus) What is Social Policy? In the broad sense, social policy is a purposive act aiming at promoting the quality of human life. Specifically, social policy formulation is made for certain purposes: - to realize desirable social goals through service programmes, e.g. social security measures. - to deal with social problems that have reached alarming proportions, e.g. pollution, battered spouses. - to introduce social concern into non-welfare realms. Multiple Levels of Policy Practice Macro-level policy (宏觀層面 – 社會政策) Specification of the broader laws or values that provide the basic framework for the provision of services and benefits, e.g. white paper, Five year plan, long term housing policy… Mezzo-level policy (中層層面 – 機構政策) Administrative policy that organizations generate to direct and regulate their operations Made in direct response to macro-level policy Micro-level Policy (微觀層面 – 運作政策) When practitioners translate macro and mezzo level policy into actual service to clients Practitioners as street level bureaucrats Different Models of Policy Planning 1. Rational Planning Model 2. Power Elite Model 3. Pluralist / Group Model 4. Incremental Model 5. Process Model Models of Policy Planning Process Rational Planning Model Rationality A choice of future actions governed by the rules of logic To develop an optimal strategy for achieving a desired set of goals Emphasize a logical step in policy planning Goal setting Identification of policy alternatives Evaluation of means against ends Implementation of decisions Different categorizations by different scholars Models of Policy Planning Process Schmidt, Shelley & Bardes (2005) – 5 steps in the policy making process Agenda building – identifying a problem & getting it on the agenda Agenda formation – the debate that occurs between government officials & the public. May take place in the media, campaigns, etc. Agenda adoption – the selection of a strategy for addressing a problem Agenda implementation – the administration of the selection policy (bureaucrats, courts, police, teachers..) Agenda evaluation – when the public, government officials & groups determine if the policy has the desired impact. Models of Policy Planning Process Heffernan (1992) – Gilbert & Terrell (2002) 6 stages of policy process 8 stages of policy process Problem definition Problem identification Policy formation Problem analysis Informing the public Policy selection Development of policy Policy implementation goals / objectives Policy evaluation Building public support & Policy adjustment legitimacy Programme design Implementation Evaluation and assessment Models of Policy Planning Process Gilbert & Terrell (2002) – 8 stages of policy process 1. Problem identification The policy process begins with the awareness of a problem. It is the impetus for change. A problem exists when policies are seen as failing to cope in a satisfactory manner – unmet or poorly met needs exist. Politically, a problem is one that touches (1) a significant number of people or (2) a number of significant people and (3) a change by the government will improve things. Models of Policy Planning Process 2. Problem analysis To develop factual data about: the magnitude of the problem, its severity, the number of people affected The basis for the change, if no problem is identified and analyzed as problematic and undesirable, why policy change or formulation is required? 3. Informing the public If improvements are to occur, one needs to cultivate the supporting base – the stakeholders. To capture the interest and attention of the relevant parties and prepare for the change (i.e. plan) Models of Policy Planning Process 4. Development of policy goals/objectives To develop concrete policy goals/objectives The need of the employable welfare poor to be self-reliant Specific objective of changing attitude towards employment by compulsory attendance of skill training Policy objectives can be aimed at: Providing essential services to persons, groups and communities in need Redistributing a great variety of substantive and symbolic benefits Regulating behaviour of persons and groups Models of Policy Planning Process 5. Building public support and legitimacy Maintain public support for the general course of proposed action To identify groups in the broader system – political figures, professional groups, voluntary agencies, and the like that can lend support and legitimacy to the changed objectives and can assist in translating those objectives into instruments for action 6. Programme design The task of actually drafting a programme design which transforms goals and objectives into concrete programmes and operational guidelines for action Staff and financial structures and how objectives can be achieved by specific intervention Models of Policy Planning Process 7. Implementation Often in implementation, policy goals/objectives need further clarification The actual policy delivery process – to carry out the programme activities 8. Evaluation and assessment To see whether and how far the outcome of the programmes matches the objectives Identify the faulty assumptions of policy design concerning the resources needed to implement programs and the availability of resources in the external system To explain the gap between intention and outcome → starts another circle; if there are unmet needs Interview with Dr. The Honourable LAM Ching Choi about Elderly Policy Making https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg aq7c_khYc Models of Policy Planning Process Policy choices are made within an institutional context and Where a number of institutions and personnel are involved in the decision-making process An understanding of the rules of choice of each parties involved (President, legislators, bureaucrats & other members of government) is necessary Historical context Policy is most often a continuation of past activity What has been done in the past fundamentally shapes what will be considered Most policies are made not by great shifts, but by incremental adjustments of the past Models of Policy Planning Process Power Elite Model Policy choices are not made in a vacuum, they are tempered by the distribution and application of power within the political system. The roles of the powerful few (powerful economic interests, rich) who stand at the apex in a triangularly shaped political system. They not only determine the agenda and policy, but also decide which items do not get on the public agenda and which ones get removed. Who really governs: the people, their elected leaders, some hidden and powerful few who really control what is going on? Models of Policy Planning Process Pluralist / Group Model Policy is the result of competition by groups (e.g. interest groups, bureaucracies), who determine the agenda and implement policy Pressure Pressure groups groups Policy Makers Interest Interest groups groups Policy outcomes is the result of competition by groups and may favour the interest of any groups Models of Policy Planning Process Incremental Model Stresses the small changes that result in the evolution of policy. Agreement is obtained most easily when changes are minimal. Process Model Stresses the role of institutions and the socioeconomic- political environment in the policy process. Involves inputs, policy outputs, and policy outcomes. Inputs: Throughput: Output: Demands Structures, Goods, Resources Procedures services Outcomes: Support Policymakers Effectiveness opposition Pressure groups Policy Environments Models of Policy Planning Process Actors Involved in Policy Making Process In Hong Kong Executive Council – lays down general policy direction especially for those long term policies Legislative Council – involved if there is a need for legislation Different Panels of Legislative Council, e.g. Welfare Panel, Housing Panel…(立法會內的事務委員會) – policy discussions and monitor the government Different Advisory Committee, e.g. Social Welfare Advisory Committee (SWAC) 社會福利諮詢委員會 – advising on government’s policy Different Bureaus (政策局), e.g. Labour & Welfare Bureau 勞工及福利局 Actors Involved in Policy Making Process In Hong Kong Related organizations, e.g. Commercial Chambers (廠 商會), NGOs, Hong Kong Council of Social Service 香 港社會服務聯會 Professional bodies, e.g. Hong Kong Social Workers Association 香港社會工作人員協會, Hong Kong Social Workers General Union 香港社會工作人員總工會 Interest /pressure groups / political parties Citizens – Service users LWB Methods of Policy Analysis Content Analysis Choices Analysis Process Analysis Historical Analysis Comparative Analysis Key Elements of Consideration in Social Policy Planning Functions of Social Welfare Social welfare is: an benefit-allocation mechanism functioning outside the economic marketplace. a societal response to social problems & human needs In capitalist society, if market is the primary system of distribution (wealth and resources), then social welfare is the secondary system of re-distribution of social resources, power or status in order to: prevent, alleviate or contribute to the solution of recognized social problems improve the well-being of individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities. attain a just society Principles of Re-distribution Social justice Concerns with who ought to get what. Closely related to the concept of equality, freedom and rights Major questions relevant to the discussion of justice Equality in which aspects – income / wealth (outcome equality), equality of opportunities, treatment or freedom? What criteria & principles of distribution is just? What people deserve and how many resources are available? Key Elements in Social Policy Social needs, wants, preferences Social problems Equality, Equity, Adequacy Right and liberty Efficiency, effectiveness Social justice Need Taxonomy of need (Bradshaw) Felt need Expressed need Normative need expertly defined need Comparative need Wants and preferences Wants more inclusive than needs we may want things that we don't need Need (需要) is more basic and essential than wants (慾望) We may need things we don't want, through ignorance or dislike, e.g. medical intervention Preferences (喜好) Revealed only when we are opened to choices The action component of need or want Equality, Equity & Adequacy Core values of policy – to what extent does it achieve distributive justice (分配式公義) Equality (平等) Numerical equality to all an equal share – same treatment to everyone Benefits be distributed to equalize the distribution of resources and outcomes Argument against egalitarianism egalitarianism may undermine work incentives Equality of outcome v.s. Equality of opportunity Equality of opportunity give individuals an equal starting point in an unequal society instead of equal outcome Equality, Equity & Adequacy Equity (公平) Fair share – same treatment to same people Proportional equality to each according to his or her merit or need Principle of less eligibility Adequacy (足夠) Goodness of life Decent standard of physical & spiritual well-being Standard vary according to time & circumstances Horizontal adequacy (去到有需要的人) vs vertical adequacy (是否得到最適切的照顧) Equality, Equity, Justice Rights The legitimacy of an individual's claims to social benefits and services Need based claim (basic human needs) Maintain that a class of needs can be identified Provide justification for government obligation to meet them Deserve based claim (contributions) Some quality or activity of a particular group imposes a requirement on society to provide them with certain services as a matter of obligation e.g. entitlement to social insurance benefits based on work records e.g. motherhood Liberty The freedom to act or believe without being stopped by unnecessary force. The condition in which an individual has the ability to act according to his or her own will. Individualist (個人主義) conceptions of liberty – the freedom of the individual from outside compulsion or coercion Collectivist (集體主義) perspective of liberty – associate liberty with equality across a broader array of societal interests. They argue that the unrestrained concentration of wealth into only a few hands negates liberty. Liberty Positive liberty(積極的自由) positive liberty is the possibility of acting — or the fact of acting — in such a way as to take control of one's life and realize one's fundamental purposes. Negative liberty (消極的自由) is the absence of obstacles, barriers or constraints. One has negative liberty to the extent that actions are available to one in this negative sense. Efficiency v.s. effectiveness Efficiency (效率) Making the most of scare resources The use of resources to produce the largest outputs Has to take into account both the benefits of the good and the opportunity cost of producing it Effectiveness (效益/ 效能) The production of desirable outcomes (效果 / 果效) from the service process What is Social Justice? (甚麼是社會公義?) Different Schools of Thought on Justice Utilitarianism (效益主義) The act or policy that produces the greatest utility (happiness, desire or preference) for the greatest number of society (極大化最大多數人的最大效益) Sacrifice of the weak or unpopular members of the community is justified for the benefit of the majority Different Schools of Thought on Justice Liberalism (自由主義) Classic Liberalism (古典自由主義) e.g. John Locke, Adam Smith … champions the rights of individuals, in particular, the right of property a free market economy desire for limited constitutional government Different Schools of Thought on Justice Liberalism (John Rawls) (左派自由主義) A just society is one where “Justice as Fairness” All social primary goods - liberty and opportunity, income and wealth, and the bases of self-respect - are to be distributed equally (The priority of liberty) (Liberty Principle – equal right to basic liberty) Social & economic inequalities are unacceptable, unless an unequal distribution of any or all of these goods is to the advantage of the least favoured (Difference Principle) Individual liberty > Equality Differences and inequalities in society can be dealt by equal opportunity. All offices & positions should be open to all under conditions of fairness and equality of opportunity (equal opportunity principle) Different Schools of Thought on Justice Rawls develops his principles of justice through a hypothetical social contract the deliberations of free and rational persons in an “original position” (原初狀態) and behind a “veil of ignorance” (無知之幕) where they would not know they will end up and who would there then rationally decide to treat each other fairly according to unbiased, neutral procedures. Different Schools of Thought on Justice Libertarianism (Robert Nozick) (右派自由主義) Nozick criticizes the redistribution inherent in Rawl’s proposals In Nozick’s entitlement theory, liberty is more important than equal distribution to realize a ‘just’ society. Each person is “entitled” to his possessions and products of his labour. Minimalist government for protection / voluntary exchange. Different Schools of Thought on Justice Communitarianism (社群主義) e.g. Michael Sandel Liberalism over-emphasizes pursuit of self-interests, rights over duties, under-values communal attachments and mistakenly stresses “the right” over “the good”. Justice is “the common good” (共同善). Individuals as consumers concerned with their own ends vs as citizens who seek the common good. Different Schools of Thought on Justice Social justice has multiple meanings, varying with perspectives on : 1. The nature of the self e.g. unencumbered self (不受妨礙), embedded self 2. The role of the state, e.g. non-intervention, minimalist government, some forms of redistribution, central planning 3. The relation between individual rights and the common good 4. The basis of moral law Framework of Policy Analysis Dimensions of policy choice Theories Alternative s Values Finance Delivery Provision Allocation Dimensions of Policy Choice Social Welfare Policy is viewed as a benefit allocation mechanism functioning outside the market place. Choice analysis helps to dissect the components of the structure of policy design (programme / service design): To whom they are offered (Who?) Entitlement / eligibility rules What benefits are offered? (What?) Forms of benefits How they are delivered (How?) Administrative / organizational structure for service delivery How they are financed? (Funding sources) Financing method References 1. Kymlick, W. (2002). Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction. (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University press. 2. Gilbert, N. & Terrell. P. (2007). Dimensions of Social Welfare Policy. Baston: Allyn & Bacon. Chapter 3. 3. Alcock, P., Erskine, A. & May, M. (2003). The Student’s Companion to Social Policy. (2nd ed.). USA: Blackwell Publishing. Chapter II.1, II.2, II.3, II.4 & II.5. 4. Chambers, D. E. & Wedel, K. R. (2005). Social Policy and Social Programs – A Method for the Practical Public Policy Analyst. (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson. Chapter 3. 5. Jansson, B.S. (1994). Social Policy: From Theory to Policy Practice. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/ Cole. Chapter 1 & 2. 6. Heffernan, W. J. (1992). Social Welfare Policy: A Research and Action Strategy. New York & London: Longman.