Twelve Spatial rescaling, devolution and the future of social welfare
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Michael Keating
Abstract
This chapter discusses processes of regional devolution. It opines that the concept of the nation has been important in the development of welfare states, since it has often formed at least part of the basis for social solidarity and a willingness to engage in redistribution. It argues that sub-state regions or nations within states (such as those of the UK) may be a robust basis for social solidarity that challenges the assumption of this role by the central state. It opines that this can raise fears of growing inequalities between regions, as well as the spectre of ‘the race to the bottom’ as territories compete to attract mobile capital and reduce expensive social provision. It notes, however, that regions may also provide space for innovation and experimentation in social provision, providing scope for a ‘race to the top’ as politicians respond to the preferences of the citizens.
Abstract
This chapter discusses processes of regional devolution. It opines that the concept of the nation has been important in the development of welfare states, since it has often formed at least part of the basis for social solidarity and a willingness to engage in redistribution. It argues that sub-state regions or nations within states (such as those of the UK) may be a robust basis for social solidarity that challenges the assumption of this role by the central state. It opines that this can raise fears of growing inequalities between regions, as well as the spectre of ‘the race to the bottom’ as territories compete to attract mobile capital and reduce expensive social provision. It notes, however, that regions may also provide space for innovation and experimentation in social provision, providing scope for a ‘race to the top’ as politicians respond to the preferences of the citizens.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of tables and figures v
- List of contributors vii
- Overview 1
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Tackling Beveridge’s ‘five evils’, 60 years on
- Freedom from want: 60 years on 11
- Slaying idleness without killing care: a challenge for the British welfare state 29
- Tackling ignorance, promoting social mobility: education policy 1948 and 2008 49
- Beveridge’s giant of disease: from negative to positive welfare? 67
- Tackling squalor? Housing’s contribution to the welfare state 87
- The Poor Law Commission of 1905–09: a view from a century on 109
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Contemporary childcare policy
- Intercountry adoption in Europe 1998–2007: patterns, trends and issues 133
- Family income as a protective factor for child outcomes 167
- Managing shared residence in Britain and France: questioning a default ‘primary carer’ model 197
- Strategic challenges in child welfare services: a comparative study of Australia, England and Sweden 215
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Rescaling social policy
- Governance at a distance? The turn to the local in UK social policy 245
- Spatial rescaling, devolution and the future of social welfare 267
- Rescaling emergent social policies in South East Europe 283
- Index 307
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of tables and figures v
- List of contributors vii
- Overview 1
-
Tackling Beveridge’s ‘five evils’, 60 years on
- Freedom from want: 60 years on 11
- Slaying idleness without killing care: a challenge for the British welfare state 29
- Tackling ignorance, promoting social mobility: education policy 1948 and 2008 49
- Beveridge’s giant of disease: from negative to positive welfare? 67
- Tackling squalor? Housing’s contribution to the welfare state 87
- The Poor Law Commission of 1905–09: a view from a century on 109
-
Contemporary childcare policy
- Intercountry adoption in Europe 1998–2007: patterns, trends and issues 133
- Family income as a protective factor for child outcomes 167
- Managing shared residence in Britain and France: questioning a default ‘primary carer’ model 197
- Strategic challenges in child welfare services: a comparative study of Australia, England and Sweden 215
-
Rescaling social policy
- Governance at a distance? The turn to the local in UK social policy 245
- Spatial rescaling, devolution and the future of social welfare 267
- Rescaling emergent social policies in South East Europe 283
- Index 307
