Ideologies of Welfare

<p>The British welfare state has been a political and ideological battleground since its inception yet many of the voices in the crucial debates have been lost in orthodox histories. First published in 1987 <i>Ideologies of Welfare </i>(now with a new preface by the authors) explores the development of the welfare state through the debates which surrounded it in three key periods—the turn of the century; the Beveridge period; and the 1970s and 1980s. Each section focusses on four main and competing approaches—laissez-faire individualism Fabianism socialism and feminism. The tension between them is developed in a selection of substantial readings which are contextualized and contrasted by detailed commentaries from the authors.</p><p>For the first time we can trace the development of four key strands of welfare ideology in their own words. Buried debates are re-opened and hidden traditions identified continuity and change are highlighted. The concluding chapter looks at the future of social security and examines the relationship between ideology and policy.</p><p>The combination of documentary material and commentary provides an invaluable history of welfare in the twentieth century for students of social policy and administration.</p>