Wiley-Blackwell Social Policy in the Modern World: A Comparative Text

Written in a concise and accessible style by Michael Hill, this textprovides a coherent, thematic account of social policy in the modern world. Takes a comparative approach, considering the ways in which different countries approach social policies. Discusses the applicability of comparative theory in social policy Examines individual policy areas, including social security, employment policy, health services, social care and education. Provides a comparative exploration of current issues in social policy, such as the implications of ageing societies and the impact of global forces. Written in a concise and accessible style by Michael Hill, who is also the author of Blackwell’s Understanding Social Policy, now in its seventh edition. From the Inside Flap This textprovides a coherent, thematic account of social policy in the modern world. Taking a comparative perspective, it explores similarities and differences in the ways in which different countries approach social policy, both by looking at the broad characteristics of those policies and by examining variations in the ways in which key issues of social welfare are handled. The book is organised into three parts. The first part examines approaches to looking at social policy comparatively. The second examines individual policy areas, including social security, employment policy (in a chapter contributed by Margaret May), health services, social care and education. The third provides a comparative exploration of some key issues for the contemporary study of social policy, such as the implications of ageing societies and the impact of global forces. From the Back Cover This textprovides a coherent, thematic account of social policy in the modern world. Taking a comparative perspective, it explores similarities and differences in the ways in which different countries approach social policy, both by looking at the broad characteristics of those policies and by examining variations in the ways in which key issues of social welfare are handled. The book is organised into three parts. The first part examines approaches to looking at social policy comparatively. The second examines individual policy areas, including social security, employment policy (in a chapter contributed by Margaret May), health services, social care and education. The third provides a comparative exploration of some key issues for the contemporary study of social policy, such as the implications of ageing societies and the impact of global forces. About the Author Michael Hill is Emeritus Professor at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Visiting Professor at the University of Brighton and Visiting Lecturer at Queen Mary College, University of London. His recent publications include Understanding Social Policy (7th edition, Blackwell, 2003), The Public Policy Process (2005), Implementing Public Policy (with Peter Hupe, 2002) and Local Authority Social Services (editor, Blackwell, 2000).