Suchergebnisse

Basic Income is gaining increasing prominence. The paper analyses the idea. Six confusions are discussed and suggestions made for greater clarity. Five claims made for Basic Income are considered – that unconditionality is just, that individualised simplicity is fair, that it is economically efficient, that it is compatible with the future labour market, and is politically feasible. All five of these claims are found to be wanting. Some of the choices that must be made in developing policy to reduce poverty are reviewed. The paper concludes that if the aim is to tackle poverty, Basic Income is not the solution.

AbstractThe future of the social state is, throughout the world, uncertain, but, as Piketty argues, it is of the utmost importance. The dominant paradigm for thinking about social policy both in terms of government action and academic analysis has been the social service model, as exemplified in the work of Richard Titmuss. In the West, there has been a growing crisis in social policy. Demand for social services has increased for demographic, economic, technological and political reasons; supply has been constrained for economic and political reasons. There is a growing realisation that social services are only one, often small, factor in determining social outcomes. Yet the social service model focuses largely on inputs. It is argued, with examples from across the life cycle, that the paradigm for social policy needs to change from focusing on inputs to focusing on the intended outcomes or social goals.

Children's lives have been transformed over the past century. Family incomes have increased, children lead lives that are more solitary, attitudes to childhood have changed, new products have been developed and commercial pressures on children have increased. The importance of these commercial pressures is analysed. Do children understand advertising? How is child poverty affected? How does increased materialism affect psychological well-being? The issues raised for public policy are discussed in terms of children's freedom.

The Wilson and Callaghan Labour governments of 1974-79 have been widely vilified. Their record on poverty and inequality is examined in terms of expectations and achievements. Outcomes for the elderly, children and disabled people are examined and the distribution of earnings and income and the extent of poverty are assessed. The record of a modest reduction in poverty and little change in inequality are in marked contrast with the increases of the preceding and succeeding Conservative governments. Lessons of continuing relevance are drawn concerning the central role of redistribution.