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Social Policy in the African Context

Social Policy in the African Context. Edited by Jimi O. Adesina. CODESRIA, Dakar, 2021

“A timely and engaging contribution compiled by a leading scholar in the field and which, through a rich mix of case studies, makes a compelling case for the reinstatement of social policy in the African quest for transformation.”
– Professor Adebayo Olukoshi, Director for Africa and West Asia, International IDEA.

“Anyone interested in development must read this volume, ably edited by Jimi Adesina, which considers social policy in
Africa holistically. Inspired by Thandika Mkandawire, early chapters revisit social policy as part of development policy, while case studies promote his concept of coherent ‘transformative social policy’ instead of piecemeal social assistance efforts.”

– Jomo Kwame Sundaram, former UN Assistant Secretary-General and emeritus professor.

Hard copies are available at the CSPS LIbrary and the Balme Library

A soft copy of the book is available for purchase through the CODESRIA Online Bookshop https://bookshop.codesria.org/

Social Policy, 4th Edition

Edited by John Baldock, Nick Manning, Sarah Vickerstaff, and Lavinia Mitton, 2011

 

The fourth edition of this well-respected textbook provides an excellent introduction to social policy in the twenty-first century. Expert contributors examine the development, delivery, and implications of welfare, as well as the social and economic context by which it is shaped. With numerous helpful learning features and an attractive two-colour text design, it is an ideal starting point for students new to the subject, and for those looking to take their learning further.

The fourth edition includes three new chapters on the history and development of social policy, making social policy in a global context, and how to research and write about social policy. It is up-to-date with the coalition government's social policy agenda, and offers increased coverage of the important issues of equality, gender, ethnicity, migration, globalisation and sustainability.

Purchase on Amazon or Oxford University Press

Preview available on Google books

 

Social Policy: An Introduction, 4th Edition

 Blakemore Ken and Warwick-Booth Louise, McGraw-Hill Education (UK), 2013

 

A highly respected introductory textbook to social policy, updated to cover recent developments.

Social Policy is essential reading for students beginning or building on their study of social policy or welfare. The wide-ranging coverage of topics means that the book holds broad appeal for a number of subject areas including health, social policy, criminology, education, social work and sociology.

"This textbook has always been a useful teaching resource because it combines substantial and engaging analysis with 'stand alone' extracts. The new edition adds a chapter on global social policy, updates on the Coalition Government and guides to what is in the book. The added activities are well thought out and can be adapted or expanded to suit the needs of particular students."

~Hedley Bashforth, Teaching Fellow in Social Policy, University of Bath, UK. 

Preview available on Google Books

Purchase on Amazon or McGraw-Hill Education (UK)

 

The Student's Companion to Social Policy, 5th Edition

Edited by Pete Alcock, Tina Haux, Margaret May and Sharon Wright, 2016

 

This fully updated and expanded edition of the bestselling Student’s Companion to Social Policy charts the latest developments, research, challenges, and controversies in the field in a concise, authoritative format. Provides students with the analytical base from which to investigate and evaluate key concepts, perspectives, policies, and outcomes at national and international levels Features a new section on devolution and social policy in the UK; enhanced discussion of international and comparative issues; and new coverage of ‘nudge’-based policies, austerity politics, sustainable welfare, working age conditionality, social movements, policy learning and transfer, and social policy in the BRIC countries Offers essential information for anyone studying social policy, from undergraduates on introductory courses to those pursuing postgraduate or professional programmes Accompanied by updated online resources to support independent learning and skill development with chapter overviews, study questions, guides to key sources and career opportunities, a key term glossary, and more Written by a team of experts working at the forefront of social policy.

Preview available on Google Books 

Purchase on Wiley

           

Social Policy: Issues & Developments in the UK

Hugh Bochel, Catherine Bochel, Robert Page and Rob Sykes, Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2005

 

Social Policy: Issues and Developments provides a comprehensive, lively and accessible introduction to contemporary British social policy. It focuses primarily upon developments since 1997 including coverage of major service areas along with ideological and other current debates in the subject. It combines description and analysis in a clear and straightforward approach to the subject, whilst also recognizing the complexities of contemporary social policy. Each chapter is written by a leading specialist in the field to provide informative, expert coverage. Main features comprehensive coverage of a wide range of major topics in contemporary social policy, including health, housing, work, education, crime and criminal justice, ethics, 'new' social policy, neo-liberalism and New Labour examines the political and governmental context within which social policy operates explores the boundaries of social policy and the growing relevance of the subject to our understanding of society examines the main ideological perspectives that have underpinned the development of social policy in the UK and provides a reflection of alternative critiques considers international influences.

Purchase on Amazon 

Understanding the Environment and Social Policy

Edited by Tony Fitzpatrick, 2011

Bringing together leading experts, this textbook explores the key social, political, economic and moral challenges that environmental problems pose for social policy in a global context. Combining theory and practice with an interdisciplinary approach, the book reviews the current strategies and policies and provides a critique of proposed future developments in the field. Understanding the environment and social policy guides the reader through the subject in an accessible way using chapter summaries, further reading, recommended webpages, a glossary and questions for discussion. Providing a much-needed overview, the book will be invaluable reading for students, teachers, activists, practitioners and policymakers.
Purchase on  Bristol University Press

Key Themes in Social Policy

Edited by Tony Fitzpatrick, 2011

Bringing together leading experts, this textbook explores the key social, political, economic and moral challenges that environmental problems pose for social policy in a global context. Combining theory and practice with an interdisciplinary approach, the book reviews the current strategies and policies and provides a critique of proposed future developments in the field. Understanding the environment and social policy guides the reader through the subject in an accessible way using chapter summaries, further reading, recommended webpages, a glossary and questions for discussion. Providing a much-needed overview, the book will be invaluable reading for students, teachers, activists, practitioners and policymakers.
Purchase on  Bristol University Press

Global Social Policy and Governance

Bob Deacon 2007

 

This primer on the global politics of social policy ... is essential reading for students as well as others seriously interested in improving the human condition. Nuanced and critical, Deacon′s book offers a much-needed and constructive guide to the complex supra-national debates over rights, regulation and redistribution impinging on social welfare all over the world′ - Jomo K.S., United Nations Assistant, Secretary-General for Economic Development

`This book is very timely and addresses many issues that are en vogue at the moment. It relates social policy studies to other fields such as global governance and development studies and thus opens up new discussions in the subject area′ - Dr Antje Vetterlein, University of Oxford.

Preview available on Google Books

Purchase on Sage

Social Policy in Developing Countries

Arthur Livingstone, 2011

This reissue, first published in 1969, is a study of contemporary social policy in developing countries, which places the emphasis upon the human needs and requirements for social change which confront any people and any government, wherever their political and international affiliations lie, whatever their economic and social convictions may be.

Purchase on Routledge

 

Exploring the World of Social Policy

An International Approach

By Michael Hill & Zoë Irving, 2020

 

This bold new textbook represents a significant step forward in social policy teaching by combining comparative and global perspectives. Introducing readers to a wide spread of international challenges and issues, the book shows how insights into policy can be generated using a comparative and multidisciplinary approach. Global in its canvas and analytical in its method, the book: • explores the economic, social and political contexts of social policy; • examines in detail its institutions and fields of practice; • illustrates the field’s main ideas, themes and practices, drawing on a rich international literature and using pertinent and thought-provoking examples. Authored by two highly respected and experienced academics, this book demonstrates the rewards of studying social policy from an international perspective by avoiding the constraints of a single-nation focus. Clear, authoritative and wide-ranging, it will be essential reading for students of social sciences taking courses covering social policy, social welfare and comparative policy analysis.

Purchase on Amazon

 

Social Policy: Theories, Concepts and Issues

Michael Lavalette and Alan Pratt, 2005

 

The Third Edition of this widely adopted textbook has been thoroughly revised and offers an authoritative and up-to-date coverage of the key theories, concepts and issues in social policy. The lively and readable text has been designed to provide students with the essential tools to gain a clear understanding of the theoretical debates surrounding the discipline.

Purchase on Sage

This page will be updated with resources for students, researchers and practitioners wanting to better understand social policy (including social protection).