SWOK 600: Social Welfare and Social Policy Midterm Opportunity ✓ Solved

Reisch (2014/17) argues that social policy can be divided into three categories: social welfare policy, fiscal welfare policy, and occupational welfare policy. Briefly describe the three categories of social policy – providing an example of each.

Explain how such a categorization can be seen as, in the words of Richard Timuss, “social division of welfare.” Blau (2014/17) argues that there are five significant features of the contemporary U.S. economy that provide the context for social policy. Briefly describe each. Describe how at least one of these features of the U.S. economy shapes the policy milieu of your practice of social work and/or your clients’ lives.

Blau (2014/17) articulates “Three Conservative Myths about Social Welfare and the Economy.” Discuss one – summarizing Blau’s argument for why it is a myth. If you disagree with Blau, say why you do and provide evidence for your view. If you agree, say why it is important to understand and debunk the myth.

Blau (2014/17) and Schiele (2014/17) argue that social policies and programs not only provide basic necessities to marginalized people and communities but also serve to regulate both the economy and the lives of people of color in ways that promote the dominant paradigm. Choose a sector of the economy – e.g., housing, food, health care and describe how social welfare programs/policies (a) boost profits in that sector and (b) regulate the lives of people of color.

Reisch (2014/17) and Warde (2017) identify key features of the Elizabethan Poor Laws and those that followed in the early United States. Articulate briefly five of these features and how their remnants can be seen in current social welfare policy.

Roll (2014/17) articulates various social changes that led to changes both in women’s relationship to the economy and in societal view of gender roles. Discuss the relationship you see among two or more of these changes – or how Roll’s analysis is lacking.

Reisch (2014/17) articulates seven stages of policy development. Briefly describe them. Collins (2007) discusses three dimensions of oppression – the institutional, the symbolic, and the individual. Briefly describe each, as well as how you see them in the context of social welfare policy.

Explain a policy that may have had unintended consequences, and explain why that may have happened. What can we do to try to avoid such consequences? Caputo (2014/17) notes: “Structuring problems is an important activity for policy analysts,” for the way that we define a problem will dictate, in part, the solutions we consider.

Pick a social problem, and define the issue in two different ways, showing how various articulations of the issue lead to disparate solutions. Briefly describe the following concepts – and provide an example of the concept applied in the context of policy analysis: Universal benefit, Means-tested benefit, Population-at-risk, Inclusiveness of coverage, Horizontal adequacy, Vertical adequacy, Horizontal equity, Vertical equity.

Why, if the U.S. federal income tax is progressive, is the total share of taxes that will be paid across the economic spectrum roughly equal to their total share of income? Different economic theories suggest different responses to periodic economic crises. According to traditional Keynesian economic theory, how should governments respond to recession? Why? According to supply-side economic theory, how should governments respond to recession? Why? How would Marxist theorists critique both Keynesian and supply-side theory?

Two trends within the past 50 years have increasingly moved the authority and implementation of social welfare policy away from the federal government. What is policy devolution? Provide an example. What is privatization? Provide an example. Why should we care?

Describe the difference between mandatory and discretionary spending – and why is the distinction important? Put the following steps of the legislative process in the correct order. For the italicized steps, describe how you might advocate effectively for the bill at this step.

Why are social workers – including and especially those who engage in direct practice – well positioned to be effective advocates for policy change? What grade would you give yourself for engagement in the learning process of this course – including your preparation for and engagement in class? How might you and/or I improve your learning during the second half of the semester?

Paper For Above Instructions

Social welfare policy, fiscal welfare policy, and occupational welfare policy are three distinct yet interrelated categories of social policy identified by Reisch (2014/17). Social welfare policy addresses the general well-being of individuals and communities, focusing on providing essential services such as healthcare, food assistance, and housing for those in need. An example of social welfare policy would be the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food-purchasing assistance for low-income individuals and families.

Fiscal welfare policy refers to tax policies and government expenditures that benefit individuals or households, particularly through deductions, credits, and tax exemptions. An example is the mortgage interest deduction, which allows homeowners to deduct the interest paid on their mortgage from their taxable income, effectively subsidizing homeownership.

Occupational welfare policy involves benefits tied to employment, such as pensions, health insurance, and unemployment insurance, reflecting the relationship between work and benefits. An example would be employer-sponsored health insurance, which many employees rely on for their healthcare needs.

This categorization of social policy illustrates Timuss’s concept of the “social division of welfare,” as it distinguishes the types of welfare support available based on socio-economic status, employment, and life circumstances. Each type of policy addresses different needs, revealing systemic inequalities in how welfare benefits are distributed across various demographics.

According to Blau (2014/17), five significant features of the contemporary U.S. economy inform social policy: globalization, the decline of manufacturing, the rise of technology, income inequality, and demographic changes. Globalization has led to increased competition and the offshoring of jobs, impacting the availability of work for many Americans. The decline of manufacturing has resulted in an economy increasingly reliant on service sectors, where job security often fluctuates. Technological advancements foster innovation but can also lead to job displacement. Income inequality continues to increase, affecting access to resources and opportunities. Lastly, demographic changes, such as aging populations and shifting racial dynamics, challenge existing social policies to address an evolving populace.

One feature of the U.S. economy shaping social work and clients' lives is income inequality, which affects access to social services. Low-income clients often struggle to navigate the social welfare system, leading to barriers in receiving assistance, thus reflecting systemic inequity within the social structure.

Blau articulates “Three Conservative Myths about Social Welfare and the Economy,” one of which suggests that social welfare benefits disincentivize work. Blau argues that this is a myth because evidence shows that social safety nets can help individuals stabilize their lives and eventually transition into employment. Understanding and debunking this myth is crucial, as it affects public support for welfare programs, essential for assisting marginalized communities.

In examining a significant sector of the economy, housing, social welfare programs such as tax credits for affordable housing boost profits by lowering the cost burden on landlords and developers, incentivizing investment in low-income housing. However, they can also serve to regulate the lives of people of color, as policies may inadvertently maintain racial segregation and limit access to quality housing for marginalized communities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

Reisch and Warde highlight features from the Elizabethan Poor Laws that persist today, including the emphasis on work requirements for assistance, the stigmatization of recipients, and clear delineation of deserving versus undeserving poor. These remnants can be seen in modern welfare policies that often put barriers in front of individuals seeking assistance, emphasizing personal responsibility and moral worthiness rather than addressing systemic issues.

Roll discusses the evolving relationship between women and the economy, particularly around labor participation and societal perceptions. Notably, the increased participation of women in the workforce has progressively challenged traditional gender roles, yet underlying biases persist, leading to unequal pay and representation in leadership roles. The interaction between these changes highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equity, suggesting that Roll's analysis could be more thorough in addressing intersectional approaches.

Reisch outlines seven stages of policy development: problem identification, policy formulation, decision-making, implementation, evaluation, policy maintenance, and policy succession. Each stage illustrates a comprehensive approach to understanding how policies are created and evaluated over time.

Collins (2007) discusses three dimensions of oppression – institutional, symbolic, and individual. Institutional oppression manifests through organization and institutional structures that perpetuate inequality, while symbolic oppression often involves societal narratives that devalue certain groups. Individual oppression pertains to personal biases and stereotypes that affect people's lives. In the context of social welfare policy, these dimensions may play a role in the formulation and implementation of programs that either uphold or dismantle systemic inequities.

An example of a policy with unintended consequences is the War on Drugs, which aimed to reduce drug abuse but led to mass incarceration, particularly among people of color. Such outcomes reveal the significance of examining the broader social context in policy design to avoid detrimental effects. Engaging stakeholders, conducting thorough evaluations, and incorporating feedback can help mitigate future unintended consequences.

Caputo emphasizes the importance of defining social problems accurately to ensure effective policy solutions. For instance, defining poverty as an individual failure versus a systemic issue leads to vastly different policy responses, whether focused on personal responsibility or advocating for systemic restructuring.

Universal benefits refer to programs accessible to all individuals, regardless of income, such as public education. Means-tested benefits restrict access based on income levels, like Medicaid. The population-at-risk concept targets groups prone to disadvantage, such as low-income families. Inclusiveness of coverage assesses the extent to which benefits reach all eligible individuals. Horizontal adequacy implies that individuals with similar needs receive similar support, while vertical adequacy entails sufficient resource allocation to meet diverse needs. Horizontal equity emphasizes equal treatment for similar individuals, and vertical equity assesses fairness based on disparities in resource needs.

Despite the U.S. federal income tax being progressive, the overall share of taxes remains proportional to income due to various tax expenditures and loopholes that disproportionately benefit higher earners. This system often results in wealth concentration rather than equitable tax contributions across the socio-economic spectrum.

In response to economic crises, traditional Keynesian theory advocates for increased government spending and monetary intervention to stimulate demand and restore economic stability. Conversely, supply-side economics emphasizes reducing taxes and deregulation to incentivize private investment and grow the economy. Marxist theorists critique both approaches for failing to address the underlying capitalist structures that perpetuate inequality and prioritize profit over community well-being.

Policy devolution refers to the transfer of authority from federal to state or local governments, evidenced by welfare reforms in the 1990s that decentralized social services. An example of privatization is the outsourcing of public services, such as privatized correctional facilities, which can prioritize profit over rehabilitation. Both trends raise concerns about accountability, quality of service, and access for marginalized populations.

Mandatory spending involves government spending required by law, such as Social Security and Medicare, whereas discretionary spending is allocated through the annual budget process, like education and defense funding. This distinction is crucial, as it influences policy priorities and resource allocation.

Social workers possess unique insights and experiences that position them as effective advocates for policy change. Their direct engagement with clients enables them to identify systemic barriers and propose informed solutions that reflect the lived realities of marginalized populations.

References

• Blau, J. (2014/17). Social Welfare: A History of the American Welfare System. New York, NY: Routledge.
• Caputo, R. (2014/17). Social Policy and Social Justice: A Critical Approach. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
• Collins, P. H. (2007). Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. New York, NY: Routledge.
• Reisch, M. (2014/17). Social Policy and Social Justice: Theories and Research. New York, NY: Sage Publications.
• Roll, S. (2014/17). Gender, Social Policy and the Economy: Insights from Feminist Theory. Boston, MA: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Schiele, J. (2014/17). Race, Class, and Social Policy: The Social Construction of Marginalization. New York, NY: Routledge.
• Warde, A. (2017). The Limits of Neoliberalism: A Critique of the New Autonomy of Governance. London, UK: Sage Publications.
• Willse, C. (2010). The Value of a Dollar: The Politics of Welfare Reforms. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
• Coates, T. (2014). Between the World and Me. New York, NY: Spiegel & Grau.
• Knight, A., & Tetrault, D. (2017). Research and Program Evaluation Key Concepts: A Study Guide. Kona Publishing & Media Group.