Showing papers in "International Social Work in 1994"
TL;DR: In Hong Kong, a cultural emphasis on familism, political apathy and the lack of appreciation of individual rights have been noted as the major factors undermining the development of social welfare as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Introduction The study of values and social and political ideas are central to the understanding of social welfare in a society (George and Wilding, 1985). In Hong Kong, a cultural emphasis on familism, political apathy and the lack of appreciation of individual rights have been noted as the major factors undermining the development of social welfare. However, no empirical studies have been undertaken to examine these factors, nor are there any studies addressing community perceptions of social welfare. A study is thus needed to increase the understanding of the relevant factors and their potential effects on the future role of social welfare in Hong Kong. The history of social welfare in Hong Kong began before the Second World War when the Christian churches and the traditional Chinese organizations provided services to meet the need for material relief and residential care. Under the influence of religious beliefs and the traditional notion of mutual aid, welfare was largely seen as an act of charity. In the period leading to the early 1960s, the charitable base of welfare was further extended by the involvement of the international charitable organizations in poverty relief work, and by the emergence of a voluntary sector which sought to provide more services to more target groups. The early 1970s marked the beginning of the government’s involvement in the provision of social welfare. However, despite
31 citations
TL;DR: The literature refers to these processes as acculturation and depicts them as occurring in the following three sequential stages: (1) four months following arrival in which refugees appear to be focusing on their present environment by availing themselves of the concrete services provided by various agencies; (2) one to two and a half years later, in which their psychological distress has been reported to be reduced and their adjustment adjustment has been facilitated by the interpersonal social support provided by their families, communities and established agencies.
Abstract: most painful of these is experienced by an immigrant who has grown up in one culture and finds it necessary to move to another. This separation involves transitional processes which enable persons to cope with personal and material losses and to learn social, economic and psychological skills necessary for functioning in a new culture. The literature refers to these processes as acculturation and depicts them as occurring in the following three sequential stages: (1) four months following arrival in which refugees appear to be focusing on their present environment by availing themselves of the concrete services provided by various agencies; (2) four months to one year after arrival in which they appear to be realizing their past losses and present difficulties and to be manifesting psychological distress (Tyhurst, 1951); and (3) one to two and a half years later in which their psychological distress has been reported to be reduced and their acculturation adjustment has been facilitated by the interpersonal social support provided by their families, communities and established agencies (Tyhurst, 1951; Nguyen, 1984). The rise of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in 1975 led to an influx
30 citations
TL;DR: The United States is a nation of immigrants, and since the 1970s has seen a substantial increase in immigration and a growing percent of foreign-born from around the world (Passell, 1990) as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The United States is historically a nation of immigrants, and since the 1970s has seen a substantial increase in immigration and a growing percent of foreign-born from around the world (Passell, 1990). For more than a century, social workers have played an important role in assisting immigrant families and communities. Over time, important advances have been made in understanding immigrants and immigration. In ’Americanization’ programs of the 1920s, it was often assumed that immigrant families replaced their traditional culture with an ’American’ culture, but today we know that immigrants do not forget their ’old ways’ in a kind of collective amnesia. Social workers are attuned to immigration as a complex adjustment that varies considerably among groups and among individuals within the same group (Chau, 1991; Lum, 1992). Social work practice has made important advances in recognizing the need for greater cultural awareness in policy and program design for ethnically diverse populations (e.g. Arroyo and L6pez, 1984; Lum, 1992; Watkins and Gonzales, 1982). Nonetheless, additional steps are needed in the case of immigrants. This paper suggests that understanding the context of immigrants’ former lives and their immigration experiences is important for social work. An international perspective (Healy, 1986, 1991; Hokenstad, 1992), allows social workers to be more effective in their work with people whose life experiences have spanned international borders (Meemeduma, 1992). From a practical point of view, this may seem a lot to expect. The knowledge base required of social workers is already extensive. How can social workers be expected to know about other countries
23 citations
TL;DR: The pattern and practices of dispossession and displacement of indigenous populations displayed similarities in lands subject to European settlement as discussed by the authors, with consequences for their economic, family, community and spiritual life.
Abstract: The pattern and practices of dispossession and displacement of indigenous populations displayed similarities in lands subject to European settlement. Aboriginal people were displaced from their lands, with consequences for their economic, family, community and spiritual life. Dispossession was initially effected by military and civil force, followed by strategies to pacify the population and eradicate the culture. In both North America and Australia
15 citations
TL;DR: Youth development in general, and youth unemployment in particular, have increasingly become a major preoccupation for Third World countries most of which have adopted strategies to respond to youth problems.
Abstract: Youth development in general, and youth unemployment in particular, have increasingly become a major preoccupation for Third World countries most of which have adopted strategies to respond to youth problems. Most countries in Africa have used youth enterprise schemes as the path to meet youth problems. Youth enterprise schemes are designed to deal with three major kinds of challenge the youth face in their daily life. These are:
15 citations
TL;DR: The authors describes the situation of a community, comprising mainly women and preschool children, living in shacks on the pavement in Durban, South Africa reputed to be the second fastest growing city in the Southern Hemisphere.
Abstract: This article describes the situation of a community, comprising mainly women and preschool children, living in shacks on the pavement in Durban, South Africa reputed to be the second fastestgrowing city in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a community about which there has been a great deal of (mainly negative) coverage in the local media. It is not uncommon for the general public to see slum conditions and equate them with a ’myth of social pathology, turning the harshness of economic inequality back upon its victims
12 citations
TL;DR: In the 1980s, the welfare state was profoundly affected by the ascendancy of radical conservative ideology as discussed by the authors and the radical right adopted a stridently anti-welfare position, seeking to privatize state provisions, slash social expenditures and abrogate the principle of governmental responsibility for welfare.
Abstract: 115 In the 1980s, the welfare state was profoundly affected by the ascendancy of radical conservative ideology. Also known as the New Right, neo-liberals and neo-conservatives (Bell, 1963; Levitas, 1986a; King, 1987; Gottfried and Fleming, 1988; Glennerster and Midgley, 1991), the radical right adopted a stridently anti-welfare position, seeking to privatize state provisions, slash social expenditures and abrogate the principle of governmental responsibility for welfare (Bawden and Palmer, 1984; Stoesz and Midgley, 1991). While these developments have been well documented, relatively little has been written about the impact of the radical right on social work. Given the profession’s historical commitment to alleviating poverty, promoting social justice and fostering respect for human diversity, social work was a natural target for the proponents of radical right-wing ideology who regard social work as a part of the left-leaning, intellectual establishment (Blumenthal, 1986) that has allegedly weakened traditional values, opposed free-market enterprise and undermined respect for authority. The radical right has been most successful in Britain and the United States where the Thatcher and Reagan administrations mounted a major assault on the welfare state. Through budget cuts, political propaganda and populist appeals to anti-welfare sentiments, they sought to reverse the gains of the last 50 years. Social work was also targeted. Although the intensity of the criticisms levelled against social work in these two countries varied, the profession has been the subject of both direct and indirect attacks (Jones, 1989; Haynes and Mickelson, 1992). This article compares developments in Britain and the USA and
12 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the idea of popular education and its potential as a method for social work in the North, and their potential for use in the very different cultural context of the USA is described.
Abstract: The transfer of technology from the USA and other Northern Hemisphere powers (Japan and Germany, for example) is ubiquitous. From ’free market’ economics to television and music, the industrial countries have dominated the creation and diffusion of technologies. However, the industrial nations can also learn from the developing world. Social work in the USA has not often looked toward developing countries for ideas. Some promising work in this regard is that of Walz et al. (1990) in applying Gandhian ideas to social work. As their work illustrates, intellectuals and social workers in developing countries working in situations with large problems and scarce resources have developed useful ideas and methods. Certainly social workers in the North encountering large problems with scarce resources can benefit from additional ideas and technologies. In the case of Latin America two important ideas deserve examination for their usefulness in the North: liberation theology and popular education. These perspectives are distinctly Latin American in origin with both intending to assist people to change their situation. While there are social workers in the North who are familiar with these ideas, they have not received widespread attention. Of course the cultural context which led to the creation of these ideas may be so unique that it is not possible to transfer these ideas out of this context. However, this is a question deserving of examination. This article is an examination of the idea of popular education and its potential as a method for social work in the North. Popular education as it is practiced in Latin America is described, its potential for use in the very different cultural context of the USA is
9 citations
TL;DR: As parents in the United States and Canada are suing the government for excluding their children with mental retardation from public schools and moving them from institutions to the community, their counterparts in Hong Kong, if not Asia, are urging their own government to set up more social and residential services as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: As parents in the United States and Canada are suing the government for excluding their children with mental retardation from public schools and moving them from institutions to the community (Herr, 1983), their counterparts in Hong Kong, if not Asia, are urging their own government to set up more social and residential services (South China Morning Post, 1991 a). The ’they deserve what they get’ feeling prevails in the government as well as in the minds of the general public. Parents and social workers in developed and developing countries have at least one thing in common: they are all working, directly or indirectly, against stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental retardation. The same attitudes and policies prevail which have excluded adults with mental retardation from gainful employment and from the right to community living, and this in addition to their being shut away from the social and economic mainstream. Discrimination refers to ’any adverse distinction which deprives a person of equality of opportunity or treatment ... and which is made on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction, or social origin’ (McKean, 1983). According to the Random House Dictionary of the English Language, the verb ’to discriminate’ is defined as making ’a distinction in favour of or against a person or thing on the basis of the group, class or
9 citations
TL;DR: A debate has taken place concerning the advantages of a European dimension to social work training, and these do appear considerable, particularly for the small number of students who intend to take advantage of the opportunities to work in a foreign member state as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: It is incontestable that the Treaty of Rome and its derivative Directives have been a major impetus to the establishment of a variety of social work educational networks across Europe, and consequently new opportunities for evaluating its role, method of service delivery and value base. The existence of schemes such as ERASMUS and latterly TEMPUS, which offer financial support for travel and subsistence, have facilitated the movement of staff and students between the member countries’ higher educational institutions, and more widely. A debate has taken place concerning the advantages of a European dimension to social work training, and these do appear considerable, particularly for the small number of students who intend to take advantage of the opportunities to work in a foreign member state. For the majority, knowledge of an alternative system will necessarily sharpen the ’esprit critique’ and erode the familiar insular approach, provoking, hopefully, a more imaginative attitude to service delivery. Paradoxically, the confirmation by Cocozza (1990) of the existence of a large number of commonalities, particularly in the value base of European practice, may strengthen a profession whose presentation and confidence have been weak. Practically, it may also be that in future a wide range of employers will be attracted to graduates with experience of social work in more than one country. This Europeanization (and internationalization) of social work is increasing, and a major need is to establish a theoretical base from which to understand the process. Perhaps the most useful concept is that of integration and here Wagner’s (1992) model is
8 citations
TL;DR: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCC) as mentioned in this paper was the first comprehensive treaty covering the rights of persons up to age 18 and over 150 nations had ratified the treaty.
Abstract: Children’s rights were a concern of the League of Nations as early as 1924. The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of Rights of the Child in 1959 (United Nations, 1959). While the Declaration set out ideals, it did not have the status of a treaty. During the International Year of the Child in 1979, Poland proposed developing a treaty on children’s rights. The result is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (United Nations General Assembly, 1989), the first comprehensive treaty covering the rights of persons up to age 18. By 1993, over 150 nations had ratified the treaty. The non-signatories include the United States, Japan, India and countries not known for human rights Iran, Iraq, Libya and South Africa. The Convention’s 41 substantive articles follow no conceptual model or logical sequence. After defining a child as anyone under 18 years of age (thereby avoiding the issue of rights of the fetus), the Convention describes each right. The remaining articles detail the process for ratification and monitoring adherence to the treaty. This paper first provides a conceptual model for children’s rights as a framework for presenting the contents of the Convention. For countries that are parties to the Convention, the model helps understand issues related to implementation. For countries still considering ratification, the model is a concise way to present the key provisions of the Convention. Next, preliminary data are presented to demonstrate how an assessment of students’ attitudes towards children’s rights is useful to stimulate class discussion and has
TL;DR: The degree of the disability problem in society differs from country to country; however, two things are certain: wars, industrialization, disease, accidents and other emerging social problems make disability an ongoing problem in developed and developing countries.
Abstract: Due to stereotypes and problems beyond their control, persons with disabilities have often been isolated or segregated, and relegated to a second class position in society. Despite some advances in recent years to mainstream disabled persons in all societal activities, patterns of prejudice have not much changed. Disabled persons still face discrimination, restrictions and maltreatment. They encounter architectural barriers, transportation problems, communication barriers and restrictions in other services that can affect jobs and social opportunities (Nagler, 1990). Indeed, various polls show that people with disabilities as a group are socially, economically, vocationally and educationally disadvantaged (Social Legislation, 1990; UN, 1986). As a result of discrimination against disabled persons in education and in the labour market, society receives few benefits from the talents of disabled individuals. Many disabled persons are able to work and live in an independent setting yet, they are often directed to welfare systems rather than to labour markets. As a case in point, in the United States alone, about 170 billion dollars per year are spent to maintain disabled persons, yet 66 percent of the nonworking disabled persons are willing to give up disability benefits for full-time employment (Social Legislation, 1990). The degree of the disability problem in society differs from country to country; however, two things are certain: (1) wars, industrialization, disease, accidents and other emerging social problems make disability an ongoing problem in both developed and developing countries; (2) the lack of comprehensive policies concerning the prevention of disabilities and the rehabilitation of disabled persons means that a greater percentage of disabled persons are resorting to their families and public assistance, and this reliance creates additional burdens on the families and society (UN, 1986).
TL;DR: New Zealand, Aotearoa the land of the long white cloud to its Maori people, is known for its spectacular scenery, rugged terrain and its history of progressive social legislation as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: New Zealand, Aotearoa the land of the long white cloud to its Maori people, is known for its spectacular scenery, rugged terrain and its history of progressive social legislation. However, during the Fourth Labour government’s term of office from 1984-90, New Zealand’s social policy was dramatically altered through the rejection of long-held assumptions governing the role of the state in the provision of social welfare services. These services traced their beginnings to New Zealand’s welfare provisions of the late nineteenth century. They were expanded by provisions initiated under the First Labour government during the depression years of the 1930s and subsequently translated into law in a series of noteworthy legislation. The legislation, based on a strong sense of collective responsibility, was aborted by the Fourth Labour government’s massive restructuring of New Zealand’s social policy. The restructuring was based on welfare society principles which emphasized the community as provider of social welfare services. Initial formulations of a ’welfare society’ denoted industrial societies with highly developed universal services with few ’distinctions between welfare and other types of social institutions’ (Wilensky and Lebeaux, 1965: 14). The welfare society Wilensky and Lebeaux envisioned was the culmination of extensive development of institutionalized welfare programmes. More recent conceptualizations (for example, George and Wilding, 1987; Johnson, 1987) stand in direct contrast to this early formulation. Currently, the term ’welfare society’ denotes a high degree of individual responsibility and rejects extensive collective responsibility, particularly as
TL;DR: Recent medical specialization, study of the brain’s anatomy, clinical findings attained through post mortem investigations, improved neurosurgical techniques, use of chemotherapy and antibiotic therapy and recognition of the importance of the balance of body chemistry have greatly expanded knowledge regarding TBI (traumatic brain injury).
Abstract: History Trauma is defined as physical injury caused by an external force. It is not a new phenomenon. Human beings have been dealing with trauma since the beginning of time as indicated by writings dating back to 3000-1600 BC. The human species’ involvement in warfare has greatly increased the magnitude and number of head injuries. Recent medical specialization, study of the brain’s anatomy, clinical findings attained through post mortem investigations, improved neurosurgical techniques, use of chemotherapy and antibiotic therapy and recognition of the importance of the balance of body chemistry have greatly expanded our knowledge regarding TBI (traumatic brain injury). Traumatic injury to the brain often compromises cognitive processes, emotional functioning, as well as physical capabilities. Resultant hemorrhaging, nerve damage, contusions, lacerations and brain swelling frequently produce coma and severe disability. The brain allows us to comprehend the self in relation to the world; thus when the brain is injured the functioning of the individual may be drastically altered. An inability to think, process data and understand information within a context has overwhelming effects upon an individual’s daily living.
TL;DR: As of April 1992, 218,301 AIDS cases have been reported in the United States and it is estimated that between 1 and 1.5 million are currently infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus which eventually leads to AIDS.
Abstract: As of April 1992, 218,301 AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) cases have been reported in the United States (US Department of Health and Human Services, 1992) and it is estimated that between 1 and 1.5 million are currently infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus which eventually leads to AIDS. It is difficult, however, to truly know the actual number of people affected because the infection can lie dormant for
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the scope of child welfare problems in Ethiopia focusing upon displaced children orphaned children street children and delinquent youth, and conclude that child welfare issues in Ethiopia are complex interrelated and involve the coordination of government non-government and mass organizations.
Abstract: In Ethiopia during the Mengistu regime of 1974-1991 70% of gross domestic product was allocated to defense and economic development and less than 3% to general public services. Few resources were therefore accorded to child welfare. This article identifies several problems faced with regard to child welfare as a result of such low national priority and underfunding while also describing several strategies followed to deliver services to targeted groups of infants children and youth. The paper begins with a brief discussion of the scope of child welfare problems in the country focusing upon displaced children orphaned children street children and delinquent youth. The authors conclude that child welfare problems in Ethiopia are complex interrelated and involve the coordination of government non-government and mass organizations. Moreover although four select issues within the domain of child welfare were considered attention could also have been given to issues related to physically disabled youth and mentally retarded or developmentally disabled youth.
TL;DR: In Sweden and in many other countries, social work organizations are often questioned, and reorganizations are frequent, however, while the authors are inundated by reports on reorganization, evidence of resulting improvements is very rare.
Abstract: In Sweden and in many other countries, social work organizations are often questioned, and reorganizations are frequent. However, while we are inundated by reports on reorganization, evidence of resulting improvements is very rare. Why? There is a vast field of theory that ought to be relevant to this question: General Theory of Organizations. Unfortunately, this field of theory stands and falls by its basic characteristic; it is too general. Social work organizations, the subject of this paper, are occasionally explained but mostly misunderstood. There is another established field of theory which might provide some answers: Human Service Organizations (HSO). The aim is to develop theoretical perspectives on organizations with a specific task: people dealing with people. I would argue, however, that this is the very aspect where HSO has failed. It is true that a specific field of activity is pinpointed and defined but this definition is so vague and unreflective that it fails to provide the necessary guidance. On the contrary, these efforts run the risk of leading to
TL;DR: A course entitled "Women in Society" as discussed by the authors was developed to introduce the growing literature about women in the labor force and women in families at the Catholic University of Chile, School of Social Work.
Abstract: the incorporation of gender-specific courses into the social work curriculum. At the Catholic University of Chile, School of Social Work, a course entitled ’Women in Society’ is being developed to introduce the growing literature about women in the labor force and women in families. Social workers are particularly concerned with policy and practice interventions that help strengthen families headed by mothers, a group of individuals comprising the largest
TL;DR: In this paper, the status of women in repopulated villages in Central America, based on a case study of the community of Copapayo, El Salvador, is discussed with emphasis on those changes in variables that do not fit the usual expectations, descriptions and explanations of the women in the developing world.
Abstract: In response to the United Nations Centre for Social Development call for studies on women’s social development, particularly ’case studies of successful experiences’ (1989: 189), this paper describes, and to some extent analyzes, the status of women in repopulated villages in Central America, based on a case study of the community of Copapayo, El Salvador. The evolving situation in repopulated villages is discussed with emphasis on those changes in variables that do not fit the usual expectations, descriptions and explanations of the status of women in the developing world.’ I
TL;DR: In this article, the demographic and economic context of aged policy in Australia, the trends generated and their effects, and the effects of these trends on older people's experience of social policy are discussed.
Abstract: on aging involves: making choices about an appropriate conceptual framework, flexibility in content to meet changing policy priorities, and a process which facilitates the understanding by young students of the ways in which older people experience social policy. Currently, this is in a climate of economic rationalism and rapid policy changes. In this paper the demographic and economic context of aged policy in Australia, the trends generated and their effects
TL;DR: The Shalshelet approach was established in an attempt to show that the reversal can, to some extent, be achieved as discussed by the authors, and some of the social and economic issues that underpinned the Shalashlet approach are described elsewhere (Krausz, 1985).
Abstract: Family life Leo Davids (1983) has pointed out that traditional, cohesive family values are still stronger in Israel than in the West and that divorce, low fertility and social malfunctioning are not characteristic of Israeli families. He states, however, that his research shows a rapid movement towards Western instability in family life that will probably continue ’unless these trends rapidly reverse themselves’. Shalshelet was established in an attempt to show that the reversal can, to some extent, be achieved. Several of the social and economic issues that underpinned the Shalshelet approach are described elsewhere (Krausz, 1985) and some of them will now be explored in greater detail. The current situation in Israel, as described by Abraham Doron (1985), shows that the country has made substantial welfare achievements in health, education, housing and the personal social services. Health services are available on a system similar to that which guided the formation of Britain’s National Health Service, although they are not anchored in law. As an earlier survey showed (Krausz, 1977), health and social services are plentiful but fragmented. Although intended for ’families’, they cater mainly for mothers and young children up to the age of 3. Doron (1985) states that, although ’a wide variety of personal services cater for individuals and families many of these programmes still provide limited benefits, and services are restricted to underprivileged population groups’. These are usually available only in a crisis situation. It is rare for men to receive health and welfare services unless in the army, where they receive free dental treatment (which is not
TL;DR: The call of the papers is for social work to rise in opposition to what the New Right is doing in Great Britain, to help build democracy in Chile, to engage in social development in India and Uganda, to reach out to people and communities in Japan, to correct the bias to economic growth m East Asia's ’four dragons’ (Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan), to work for change in South Africa and to fight poverty in the USA.
Abstract: sector but its close links with the true mission of social work. The cry of the papers is for social work to rise in opposition to what the New Right is doing in Great Britain, to help build democracy in Chile, to engage in social development in India and Uganda, to reach out to people and communities in Japan, to correct the bias to economic growth m East Asia’s ’four dragons’ (Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan), to work for change in South Africa and to fight poverty in the USA.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assess social work training designed for Southeast Asian refugees and identify the target population, which includes Cambodian, Chinese-Vietnamese, Hmong, Laotian, Tai Dam and Vietnamese refugees.
Abstract: War exodus and diversity among Southeast Asian refugees In order to assess social work training designed for Southeast Asian refugees, it is important first to identify the target population. Southeast Asian refugees, as a collective term, includes Cambodian, Chinese-Vietnamese, Hmong, Laotian, Tai Dam and Vietnamese refugees: a group with highly diverse experiences of cultural background, trauma and history of resettlement in the United States and other countries. When the US army left Vietnam in 1975, the first wave of refugee exodus from Southeast Asia began. About 135,000 South Vietnamese fled to the USA and 20,000 to France. Since then, the deteriorating living conditions in Southeast Asia have forced many people to flee. At the beginning of 1978 when increasing deterioration in relations between Vietnam and China was evident, the second wave of exodus began. Many overseas Chinese in Vietnam resented the ’Vietnamization Act’ which required the minority Chinese to become Vietnamese citizens and to serve military duties (Lo, 1980; St Cartmail, 1983). There was a widespread rumour that a war between Communist China and Northern Vietnam had started, and that ’no Chinese in Vietnam could expect to survive in such a war’ (Lo, 1980: 9). In April, many overseas Chinese escaped from North Vietnam to China. Some re-routed to Hong Kong and Macau, awaiting for resettlement. Without a pause, the third wave of exodus began in May 1978 when a plan to crack down on private businesses was implemented in Saigon and Cholon. Masses of refugees fled by sea directly to some first-asylum countries, mainly Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members such as
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a review of significant policy changes in the late 1980s in the UK, including the creation of a commissioner/provider split in the housing field which is, of course, a mirror of similar changes occurring throughout the UK welfare state.
Abstract: housing policy is likely to create less affordable housing at a time when homelessness rates are at a postwar high. As a result of the policy changes noted by Malpass, UK building societies (which had previously functioned simply to offer loans to intending house buyers) and housing associations (which had entered the housing market to provide inexpensive rented private housing) have moved closer to centre-stage as providers of housing for citizens who would have been council-house tenants in previous generations. This process is described and analysed in chapters by Langstaff and Smallwood. Though stylistically uninspiring, these chapters illustrate well the significant retreat from public housing in the UK. Other chapters worthy of note include that by Coleman on whether the change in housing policy direction is permanent or transitory. His judgement that this shift is probably enduring is well supported and detailed. The book includes the, now de rigueur, chapter on issues of race and gender in housing. It has to be said that Ginsburg and Watson have made a good job of this catch-all chapter. This is a worthy book. It is solid, if uninspiring. It documents and analyses the creation of a commissioner/provider split in the housing field which is, of course, a mirror of similar changes occurring throughout the UK welfare state. It will be useful for students of UK and European housing policy, although it is difficult to see it having wider relevance than this, and, of course, it is not really a book about housing policy in the 1990s. Rather, it is a review of significant policy changes in the late 1980s.
TL;DR: In this article, the central question is: "How can Eastern European nations minimize inequality as they move in the direction of a market economy?" The answer that most countries with market economies have devised is: 'Through the creation of a welfare state'.
Abstract: The central question which this article addresses is: ’How can Eastern European nations minimize inequality as they move in the direction of a market economy?’. The answer that most countries with market economies have devised is: ’Through the creation of a welfare state.’ It is important to emphasize the idea of minimizing inequality rather than eliminating it; no economic or political system has totally eliminated inequality, and none is likely to do so. The most one can hope for is that inequality will be contained sufficiently to prevent the society from becoming a nation of gross