Routledge Revivals
Social Welfare in Developed Market Countries
First published in 1989, this book analyses social welfare in countries with highly developed economies, at that time. For each country it considers the ideological framework underlying the social welfare system and describes the historical development of both the system and the political and socio-economic context. Each chapter looks at the structure and administration of the systems in place and how these are financed. This is followed by a consideration of the nature of different parts of the welfare system, a survey of social security, personal social services and the treatment of the following key target groups: the aged; those with disabilities and handicaps; children and youth; disadvantaged families; the unemployed; and the sick and injured. Each chapter concludes with an assessment of the effectiveness of the system considered.
Social Welfare in Developed Market Countries
Edited by
John Dixon and Robert P. Scheurell
First published in 1989
by Routledge
This edition first published in 2016 by Routledge
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Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
1989 John Dixon and Robert P. Scheurell
The right of John Dixon and Robert P. Scheurell to be identified as editor of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Publishers Note
The publisher has gone to great lengths to ensure the quality of this reprint but points out that some imperfections in the original copies may be apparent.
Disclaimer
The publisher has made every effort to trace copyright holders and welcomes correspondence from those they have been unable to contact.
A Library of Congress record exists under LC control number: 89133160
ISBN 13: 978-1-138-94701-6 (hbk)
ISBN 13: 978-1-315-67032-4 (ebk)
SOCIAL WELFARE IN DEVELOPED MARKET COUNTRIES
EDITED BY JOHN DIXON AND ROBERT P. SCHEURELL
First published in 1989
by Routledge
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE
29 West 35th Street, New York NY 10001
1989 John Dixon and Robert P. Scheurell
Printed and bound in Great Britain by
Biddles Ltd, Guildford and Kings Lynn
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Social welfare in developed market countries.
(Comparative social welfare series).
1. Welfare services. Comparative studies
I. Dixon, John, 1946- II. Scheurell,
Robert P. III. Series
ISBN 0-415-00532-9
CONTENTS
John McCallum
Donald F. Bellamy & Allan Irving
C. Wolfgang Muller
Maurizio Ferrera
Joop M. Roebroek
Stephen Uttley
Hildegunn M. Forsund
Sven E. Olsson
Jane Keithley
Robert S. Magill
As this book goes to press we wish to acknowledge the help we received from a variety of quarters. A special debt is owed to Mr Hyung Shik Kim, a co-editor for the first volume in this comparative studies series Social Welfare in Asia (1985) for his crucial contribution to the conceptual framework that underlies the series.
To Mrs Cheryl Leeton go our thanks for typing the manuscript in its various drafts and in its final form. The artwork was done by Desktop Ink, to whom go our thanks.
Publication of this book, indeed the entire comparative series, would not be possible without the support received from the International Fellowship for Social and Economic Development Inc. (IFSED), a non-profit organisation. Further information about IFSED can be obtained from the Director, Mr John Dixon, PO Box 228, Belconnen, ACT, 2616, Australia.
To our wives, Tina and Sally, go our thanks for putting up with our idiosyncracies throughout the preparation of this manuscript.
For any errors of fact and for all opinions and interpretations, the authors and the editors accept responsibility.
John Dixon | Robert P Scheurell |
This volume on Social Welfare in Developed Market Countries is one of six volumes which encompasses all of the regions of the World.
There are a variety of publications focussing on comparative public policy and in-depth studies specific regions. What makes this series unique? Firstly, a similar model is used in each volume and for each country in order to develop as much consistency and uniformity in content as feasible; secondly, the system of co-editing attempts to develop consistency and uniformity in writing style; and, thirdly, the global perspective which encompasses the entire world. The 55 country profiles included in the series are primarily descriptive, but include evaluative summaries.
It is important to recognise that any comparative study must be placed in the context of the interlocking nature of the dominant social value or traditions, and of a variety of socio-economic and political forces, all of which interact with the prevailing patterns of social need and available resources to determine the fabric of particular welfare systems. Thus a comparative social welfare study, if it is to be useful, must place particular welfare systems in their particular cultural, social, economic, political and ideological environments. It must also acknowledge that different cultures create a different framework of reference from which to perceive human welfare and the institutions and programmes that have evolved to meet at least some human needs. It is pointless to attempt to compare countries that are fundamentally different, hence the regional focus of this tightly structured anthology.
Social security is defined as:
the whole set of compulsory measures instituted to protect the individual and his family against the consequences of an unavoidable interruption or serious diminution of the earned income disposable for the maintenance of a reasonable standard of living (Rys 1966, p.242).
Thus it includes compulsory employer liability (with or without insurance); provident funds; social insurance (benefits subject to contributing conditions); social assistance (benefits subject to residence qualifications and an income or means test); and universal programmes (benefits subject only to residency qualifications). The social security boundary is, however, blurred in many countries, for elements of fiscal welfare (that is, a system of tax rebates or taxable income deductions that reduce the tax liability of particular target groups) and occupational welfare programmes (for example, occupational superannuation, non-statutory sick pay entitlements, free or subsidised health care for employees and their dependants) may impinge on social security in some instances. Where this is significant, details are included. Health insurance arrangements are also included.
