Governing the poor in Guangzhou: Marginalization and the neo-liberal paternalist construction of deservedness

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Zhuoyi ◽  
Ngok Kinglun
Keyword(s):  
Social Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban China ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Social Citizenship ◽  
Early 21St Century ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Social ◽  
Deserving Poor

Since the early 21st century, the Chinese government has proactively expanded social protection by providing better benefits and broader coverage for its people. However, a new puzzle has emerged in the Minimum Living Standard Scheme, ‘last resort of social protection’ in China. Normally, when the benefit standard is set higher, relatively more people situated below this line are entitled to receive assistance. However, in reality fewer people than expected receive support. We study the case of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, to explain this phenomenon and analyse the social citizenship of marginalized groups in urban China. We reveal the decline in replacement rates and tighter conditionality applied to defining the ‘deserving poor’ by reviewing administrative data and policy documents from 1995 to 2016. Drawing on the longitudinal qualitative study conducted between 2009 and 2011, we further illustrate how the decreased replacement rate and tighter conditionality diminish the well-being of the poor. Our findings on policy changes and their outcomes in Guangzhou provide some important insights into poverty governance and social citizenship under China’s social development in the past decade.

War Widows and Welfare Queens

2019 ◽  
pp. 584-605
Author(s):  
Brittany Pearl Battle
Keyword(s):  
Policy Development ◽  
Social Welfare Policy ◽  
Cultural Representations ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Family ◽  
Deserving Poor ◽  
Analytical Tools ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Undeserving Poor

This chapter examines the sociocognitive dimensions of cultural categorizations of deservingness. The social issue of poverty has been a persistent source of debate in the American system of policy development, influenced by conceptual distinctions between the “haves” and “have-nots,” “working moms” and “unemployed dads,” and the “deserving poor” and the “undeserving poor.” Although there is a wealth of literature discussing the ideological underpinnings of stratification systems, these discussions often focus on categorical distinctions between the poor and the nonpoor, with much less discussion of distinctions made among the poor. Moreover, while scholars of culture and policy have long referenced the importance of cultural categories of worthiness in policy development, the theoretical significance of these distinctions has been largely understudied. I expand the discourse on the relationship between cultural representations of worth and social welfare policy by exploring how these categories are conceptualized. Drawing on analytical tools from a sociology of perception framework, I create a model that examines deservingness along continuums of morality and eligibility to highlight the taken-for-granted cultural subtleties that shape perceptions of the poor. I focus on social filters created by norms of poverty, welfare, and the family to explore how the deserving are differentiated from the undeserving.

Who are the Asset-Poor in China: A Comprehensive Description and Policy Implications

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 765-787
Author(s):  
YUANYUAN YANG ◽  
JUN-HONG CHEN ◽  
MINCHAO JIN
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Urban China ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Income Poverty ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Household Asset ◽  
Asset Poverty

AbstractThere is a large body of literature asserting that household asset holdings play a critical role in prospects of economic and social well-being. This study examines asset-poverty rates in China using the 2013 survey data from the Chinese Household Income Project (CHIP). The results indicate that asset-poverty rates in urban China were lower than those of developed countries, whereas rural and migrant households experienced more serious asset poverty than their counterparts in urban China. In addition, the asset-poverty rates were at least twice the income-poverty rates in China according to the different poverty lines used in the study. Several demographic characteristics were found associated with asset poverty. To assist the Chinese government in reaching its goal of eradicating absolute poverty by 2020 through targeted poverty alleviation, this study suggests including assets in the description and alleviation of poverty.

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF THE FINANCIAL PROVISION OF SOCIAL PROTECTION ОF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN UKRAINE

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergiy Kandiba ◽  
Natalia Safonik
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Gender Mainstreaming ◽  
Insurance Fund ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
The Social

The article analyses the main sources of financial provision for the social protection of persons with disabilities in Ukraine, including their own resources, budget resources at all levels and resources of enterprises of all forms of ownership; social trust funds, funds of charitable and social organizations and other sources. It is justified that socially oriented objects of expenditure are growing and account for a significant share in the structure of expenditure of the state budget. An analysis of the expenditure of local budgets on the social protection of persons with disabilities showed that expenditure in this area has been increasing since 2015, owing to the reform of decentralization. An evaluation of the activities of civil society organizations of persons with disabilities showed a decrease in the number of persons with disabilities who are employed and in the proportion of expenditures allocated to the social needs of persons with disabilities. Measures to improve the social protection and welfare of persons with disabilities in Ukraine are also financed from social welfare funds. Analysis of the provision of medical and social services by the Social Insurance Fund of Ukraine shows an increase in the number of persons with disabilities as a result of an industrial accident and an increase in the cost of medical and social services. It has been established that financial provision for the social protection of persons with disabilities from charitable organizations is provided in most cases in the form of targeted charitable assistance. The structure of the recipients of charitable assistance by category showed that the proportion of people with special needs among the recipients of charitable assistance was about 10 per cent. On the basis of the study, a number of problems affecting the well-being of persons with disabilities have been identified. Priorities have been set for the development of financial provision for the social protection of persons with disabilities. These include improving the targeting of social assistance, development of locally funded social protection programs, enhancing the social and labour integration of persons with disabilities, gender mainstreaming in the financial provision of social protection for persons with disabilities.

The Quest for Sustainable Livelihoods: Social Development Challenges and Social Policy Responses in Guangzhou, China

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ka Ho Mok ◽  
Maggie Lau
Keyword(s):  
Social Welfare ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Role Of The State ◽  
The Social ◽  
Financial Burdens

China's welfare system has been a typical ‘residual welfare regime’, but the economic reform and market-oriented transformations in recent decades have weakened the original well-balanced ‘residual’ and ‘needs’ pattern. Marketisation of social welfare has intensified social inequality as those who are less competitive in the market-oriented economy have encountered tremendous financial burdens in meeting their welfare needs. In order to rectify the social problems and tensions generated from the process of marketisation of social welfare, the Chinese government has adopted different policy measures to address the pressing welfare demands from the citizens. This article examines how a local government in Guangzhou, capital city of Guangdong province, has responded to the call of the central government in promoting social harmony in the context of growing welfare regionalism emerging in mainland China. More specifically, with reference to a case study of Guangzhou, this article discusses how Guangzhou residents assess their social welfare needs and expectations, and how they evaluate the municipal government's major welfare strategies. It also reflects upon the role of the state in welfare provision and social protection, especially when many social welfare and social services have been marketised in the last few decades in China.

scholarly journals Modern Market Social Services: the Experience of Regional Studies

2018 ◽  
pp. 99-108
Author(s):  
Nataliya Nikolenko ◽  
Yana Serova
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Volgograd Region ◽  
The Social ◽  
Depth Interviews

The study investigates the changes taking place in the domestic market of social services expressed in the appearance of "new players" in the form of socially oriented non-profit organizations (SO NPO) within its field in addition to public institutions for social protection and social services of the population. The authors identify the advantages and disadvantages of SO NGO compared to government organizations and social services, describe the processes of shadow economy expansion to the social services market and formation of regional "quasi-markets". The empirical part of the article is based on the data of two studies conducted in the form of indepth interviews. First, with experts on "Practices of interaction and prospects of cooperation between NPO and government organizations of social services in the Volgograd region", N = 52 (27 representatives of the public sector, 25 representatives of NPO, January-March 2018). Then with recipients of social services from government organizations and clients of SO NPO on the theme "Availability and quality of paid and free social services provided in the Volgograd region for retiring aged women" N = 46, 60 years and older (21 people-clients of SO NPO, 25 people-recipients of social services. services, October 2017 – January 2018). The analysis of these in-depth interviews with experts allowed to draw the following conclusions. There is a duplication of functions of the organizations of public and non-public sectors providing social services to the population. The activities of modern SO NPO operating in the social services market contain innovative and commercial components. The expansion of the "platform" of the social services market does not yet lead to full competition between organizations, encouraging them to constantly improve the quality of services. The analysis of in-depth interviews with recipients of social services from government organizations and customers of SO NPO showed that the commercialization of activities of SO NPO does not make social services more accessible to those who are in need of them. There is the necessity of changes in the way social services are being provided in the Volgograd region as they do not meet the needs of women of retirement age, do not take into account their level of income and material well-being.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF THE LIVING STANDARD ON THE SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF THE PROVINCIAL REGION’S POPULATION

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. B. Kosharnaya ◽  
◽  
V. V. Bondarenko ◽  
M. A. Tanina ◽  
I. A. Yurasov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The living standard of the rural population of Kazakhstan as a socio-economic category

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 162-171
Author(s):  
A. Т. Tleuberdinova ◽  
◽  
R. M. Ruzanov ◽  
X. Kulik ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rural Population ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Standards ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Territorial Development ◽  
Rural Residents ◽  
Subsistence Level

The study was carried out within the framework of targeted funding of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Development of the concept and mechanisms of balanced territorial development of the economy and society of Kazakhstan." Methods - abstract-logical, monographic, graphical, comparative and cluster analysis. Results - in order to compare the living standards of rural areas of the country's regions, grouping of regions was carried out with justification of such indicators as growth rate of the number of rural residents; the share of the employed and self-employed in the total rural population; villagers' income; proportion of residents whose material well-being is below the subsistence level; share of expenses for food products and paid services. The results of the conducted cluster analysis are presented and groups of regions with similar living conditions, social security and characteristic problems are identified, which makes it possible to determine the main directions of regional policy for improving living standards in the countryside for each of them. Conclusions - the authors have developed recommendations for the implementation of measures aimed at increasing the level of livelihoods in rural areas that are of interest to regional and local government agencies, labor and social protection authorities in Kazakhstan, preparation of policy documents to improve the socioeconomic situation of rural residents.

scholarly journals OPPORTUNITIES OF THE SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF SUBSTITUTE FAMILIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF MORDOVIA: ANALYSIS OF THE RESEARCH RESULTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 40-44
Author(s):  
T.V. Soloveva ◽  
◽  
E.G. Pankova ◽  
D.A. Bistyaikina ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Protection System ◽  
Traumatic Experience ◽  
Adoptive Families ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Republic

The article presents the results of a study of the possibilities of the social protection system to improve the quality of life of substitute families in the Republic of Mordovia. The authors conclude that a substitute family is not a legally defined term for any type of family that accepts a child (children) left without parental care. Social protection of a substitute family is a system of support provided by providing a set of social services to the family in order to preserve and strengthen the social, psychological and physical health of members of the foster family and prevent secondary abandonment of the child. Professional formation and support of substitute families is one of the most important stages in the work of specialists working with a child placed in a family and members of this family. The results of the research presented in the article suggest that in General, substitute parents in the Republic of Mordovia are satisfied with the socio-psychological and socio-legal knowledge obtained during the preparation and decision-making on the creation of a substitute family. Adaptation and upbringing of a foster child, the features of children who have a traumatic experience of breaking up with their biological parents and the features of their development in adolescence – are the topics that were most significant for the substitute parents. The authors observed that adoptive families are heterogeneous both in terms of social well-being in General, and by the presence and intensity of elements, and therefore family policies should focus not only on the institution of foster families in General, but to be differentiated in relation to different groups. The results obtained provide a scientific basis for such a differentiated policy, which corresponds to the principle of targeting, widely declared in social policy and social work.

Child-sensitive Social Protection Mechanisms in Non-governmental Child and Youth Care Centres in the Eastern Cape

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1-3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akeem Adewale Oyelana
Keyword(s):  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Youth Care ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Child And Youth Care ◽  
Social Welfare System ◽  
The Social ◽  
Protection Mechanisms

ABSTRACT The study investigates the child-sensitive social protection mechanisms in Non-Governmental Child and Youth Care Centres (NGCYCC). The objectives of the study were to examine the child sensitive social protection mechanisms in NGCYCC in Eastern Cape (EC) and to assess the efficiency of the well-being of children in the institutionalised centres. This paper used a qualitative research approach. Moreover, utilized various forms of academic articles, internet sources, dialogues, as well as critics and discusses child-sensitive social protection mechanisms in NGCYCC in EC. The findings indicate that parental mistreatment, substance misuse and domestic violence contribute more to influence the factors, which found children to be more vulnerable as well as the social welfare system. The study recommends a policy upgrade to add a criminality element for parents that are ignorant to protect their children. Many societies are at gang war and organised violence for survival.

The Social Protection Agenda and the Burden of Responsibility and Sustainability

2018 ◽  
pp. 192-208
Author(s):  
Moses Adesola Adebisi
Keyword(s):  
Social Protection ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
International Labour Organization ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Public Funds ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Social ◽  
Labour Standards ◽  
Cultural Economies ◽  
Global Agenda

Social protection represents part of the global agenda of the International Labour Organization in its concerted attempt to improve and promote global labour standards, labour rights as human rights, and reduce poverty. The situation of African countries is precarious given the poor state of their economies, poor national incomes, and the widespread state of poverty. In addition, most African countries south of the Sahara have poor databases on vital statistics, security insecurity, mono-cultural economies, and the failure to effectively entrench governance and democratic institutions and reforms, amongst others. How could the problem of corruption, graft, theft of public funds, and the cumbersome bureaucratic bottlenecks that are so prevalent in Africa be minimized if not eliminated? The chapter, therefore, anchors its analysis on two African countries: Nigeria and Ghana. But how can social protection be funded in a sustainable way? These are the objectives that are being pursued in this chapter.

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