Chapter Two The social division of welfare: Some reflections on the search for equity
Abstract
This chapter explores the extract from Titmuss’s lecture given in honour of Eleanor Rathbone, the champion of family allowances, at the University of Birmingham in 1955. It notes that this is one of the most influential aspects of Titmuss’s work on welfare, in both academic and policy circles. It emphasises that the effect on the analysis of the distribution of contributions and benefits across social classes is an important implication of bringing fiscal and occupational welfare within the scope of ‘welfare’. It argues that the middle classes are the primary beneficiaries of fiscal and occupational welfare and shows that the effect of child tax allowances is to give three times as much to a high-earner with two children than to a low earner in similar circumstances.
Abstract
This chapter explores the extract from Titmuss’s lecture given in honour of Eleanor Rathbone, the champion of family allowances, at the University of Birmingham in 1955. It notes that this is one of the most influential aspects of Titmuss’s work on welfare, in both academic and policy circles. It emphasises that the effect on the analysis of the distribution of contributions and benefits across social classes is an important implication of bringing fiscal and occupational welfare within the scope of ‘welfare’. It argues that the middle classes are the primary beneficiaries of fiscal and occupational welfare and shows that the effect of child tax allowances is to give three times as much to a high-earner with two children than to a low earner in similar circumstances.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents III
- Sources of extracts V
- Introduction 1
-
The family, poverty and population
- The nation’s wealth 17
- The summation of poverty 23
- A measurement of human progress 25
- The position of women 31
-
The ‘welfare state’
- The welfare state: Images and realities 49
- The social division of welfare: Some reflections on the search for equity 59
- War and social policy 71
- Unfinished business 81
-
Redistribution, universality and inequality
- The role of redistribution in social policy 103
- Welfare state and welfare society 113
- Social welfare and the art of giving 125
-
Power, policy and privilege
- The irresponsible society 141
- The need for a new approach 159
-
International and comparative dimensions
- The international perspective 175
- Developing social policy in conditions of rapid change: The role of social welfare 185
-
The subject of social policy
- The subject of social administration 199
- What is social policy? 209
- Values and choices 215
- Bibliography 219
- Index 239
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents III
- Sources of extracts V
- Introduction 1
-
The family, poverty and population
- The nation’s wealth 17
- The summation of poverty 23
- A measurement of human progress 25
- The position of women 31
-
The ‘welfare state’
- The welfare state: Images and realities 49
- The social division of welfare: Some reflections on the search for equity 59
- War and social policy 71
- Unfinished business 81
-
Redistribution, universality and inequality
- The role of redistribution in social policy 103
- Welfare state and welfare society 113
- Social welfare and the art of giving 125
-
Power, policy and privilege
- The irresponsible society 141
- The need for a new approach 159
-
International and comparative dimensions
- The international perspective 175
- Developing social policy in conditions of rapid change: The role of social welfare 185
-
The subject of social policy
- The subject of social administration 199
- What is social policy? 209
- Values and choices 215
- Bibliography 219
- Index 239
