Empowerment and Control in the Australian Welfare State

A Critical Analysis of Australian Social Policy Since 1972

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Social Work, Political Science, Government, Social Policy
Cover of the book Empowerment and Control in the Australian Welfare State by Philip Mendes, Taylor and Francis
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Author: Philip Mendes ISBN: 9781351801775
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: October 26, 2018
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Philip Mendes
ISBN: 9781351801775
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: October 26, 2018
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This book explores the tensions between the competing social rights and social control functions of the modern Australian welfare state. By critically examining the history and rhetoric of the Australian welfare state from 1972 to the present day, and using the author’s long-standing research on the Australian Council of Social Service and other welfare advocacy groups, it analyses the transformation from rights-based to conditional welfare.

The Labor Party Government from 1972-75 is identified as the only clear cut example of Australia positively using welfare payments and services as an instrument to promote greater social equity, inclusion and participation. Since the mid-1970s, the Australian welfare state has gradually retreated from the social rights agenda conceived by the Whitlam Government. Australia has followed other Anglo-Saxon countries in adopting increasingly conditional and paternalistic measures that undermine the protection of social citizenship outside the labour market.

In contrast, this text makes the case for an alternative participatory and decentralized welfare state model that would prioritize social care by empowering and supporting welfare service users at a local community level.

This book will be of interest to academics, students and policy-makers working within social policy, social work and political sociology.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book explores the tensions between the competing social rights and social control functions of the modern Australian welfare state. By critically examining the history and rhetoric of the Australian welfare state from 1972 to the present day, and using the author’s long-standing research on the Australian Council of Social Service and other welfare advocacy groups, it analyses the transformation from rights-based to conditional welfare.

The Labor Party Government from 1972-75 is identified as the only clear cut example of Australia positively using welfare payments and services as an instrument to promote greater social equity, inclusion and participation. Since the mid-1970s, the Australian welfare state has gradually retreated from the social rights agenda conceived by the Whitlam Government. Australia has followed other Anglo-Saxon countries in adopting increasingly conditional and paternalistic measures that undermine the protection of social citizenship outside the labour market.

In contrast, this text makes the case for an alternative participatory and decentralized welfare state model that would prioritize social care by empowering and supporting welfare service users at a local community level.

This book will be of interest to academics, students and policy-makers working within social policy, social work and political sociology.

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