I’ve received today the copies of my new book, Arguments for Welfare. It’s a short book at 117 pages, published by Rowman and Littlefield at the hefty price of £19.95. From the cover:
This book makes the case for the welfare state. Nearly every government in the developed world offers some form of social protection, and measures to improve the social and economic well-being of its citizens. However, the provision of welfare is under attack. The critics argue that welfare states are illegitimate, that things are best left to the market, and that welfare has bad effects on the people who receive it. If we need to be reminded why we ought to have welfare, it is because so many people have come think that we should not. Arguments for Welfare is a short, accessible guide to the arguments. Looking at the common ideas and reoccurring traits of welfare policy across the world it discusses: the meaning of the ‘Welfare State’, the moral basis of social policy, the limits of markets, public service provision and the role of government. With examples from around the world, the book explains why social welfare services should be provided and explores how the principles are applied. Most importantly, it argues for the welfare state’s continued value to society.
Great to see this very timely publication. I look forward to reading a well measured argument. I am rather out of touch, but the field is quite frafmentated. I get the impression that to argue for a welfare state, at least as a concept, has had its day, and that markets are here to stay. The NHS reinstatement bill hasn’t got very far. I think the welfare state is still a valid concept, and certainly beyond the England, people are still willing to fight for it in some form. Hope the book goes well.