POLS 354 Welfare States in Comparison

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POLS 354Welfare States in Comparison

• Lecture One Introduction

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Lecture Summary

• Contact Details
• Course Structure
• Course Expectations
• Exams and Marking
• Resources
• Introduction to Comparative Social Policy

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1. Contact Details

• Phone [phone]
• E-mail choward_at_ualberta.ca
• Office 10-8 HM Tory building
• Contact time Tuesdays 3-5pm, 10-8 HM Tory

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2. Course Structure

• Seminars lecture and discussion
• Readings academic commentary and policy documents

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3. Expectations

• Readings
• Attendance
• Participation

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4. Exams and Marking

• Take home (20)
• Research paper (30)
• Final exam (30)
• Participation (20)
• Extensions
• Plagiarism

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5. Resources

• Websites see outline
• Online journals Social Policy and
  Administration, Journal of Social Policy, Social
  Policy and Society, Journal of European Social
  Policy, Canadian Public Policy
• Library databases http//www.library.ualberta.ca/
  subject/hss/index.cfm
• News radio, TV, papers

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6. Introduction to Comparative Social Policy

• What is the welfare state? (See Cochrane et al)
• A state that assumes responsibility for the
  wellbeing of citizens
• An administrative system within the state that
  provides welfare services and benefits
• The rise of the welfare state following World War
  Two the Post War Settlement
• Social citizenship
• Keynesianism

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Different Types of Welfare State

• North America, United Kingdom, Australia and New
  Zealand (liberal welfare states)
• Scandinavian countries (social democratic welfare
  states)
• Continental Europe (conservative welfare states)
• The rest of the world?

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Is the Welfare State in Decline?

• The crisis of the welfare state 1970s
• Globalization
• Neo-conservatism and neo-liberalism
• Are welfare states around the world converging on
  the neo-liberal model?
• International or supranational social protection
  can it replace national social policy?

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Why Compare Welfare States?

• To determine what (if anything) makes our own
  system distinct
• To appreciate the similarities between
  jurisdictions
• To be aware of policy alternatives
• To understand the economic, political and social
  consequences of different social policies
• To determine the impact of globalization on
  national governments and the challenges for
  supranational social policy

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Two Key Course Themes

• Difference
• Change

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Next Weeks Reading

• Cochrane et al Ch 1
• Optional Briggs 1969