Social policy, target populations and policy analysis in Colombia

2020 ◽  
pp. 223-238
Author(s):  
Santiago Leyva ◽  
Carlos Andrés Olaya
Keyword(s):  
Social Policy ◽  
Policy Analysis ◽  
Welfare System ◽  
Policy Outcomes ◽  
Social Policies ◽  
Redistributive Policy ◽  
Target Populations ◽  
Poverty And Inequality ◽  
Persistent Inequality ◽  
Policy Target

This chapter explores persistent inequality and poverty for historically excluded groups despite dramatically increased expenditures in social policy as an issue of considerable importance in Colombia. It illustrates how the truncated nature of the Colombian welfare system contributes to the problem of poverty and inequality. It also documents how even the widespread use of targeted social policies for specific populations cannot attain the redistributive policy outcomes associated with a more general approach to welfare policy. The chapter introduces the general changes to social policies by looking into the expansion of basic welfare and then exploring the evolution of policy targeting. It points out the limited achievements of Colombia in terms of the redistribution of income through the concept of the truncated state.

Constituencies and Public Opinion

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Louise Campbell ◽  
Michael W. Sances
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Social Policy ◽  
Policy Outcomes ◽  
Group Influence ◽  
The Public ◽  
Target Populations ◽  
Social Provision ◽  
Degree Of Redistribution ◽  
Modest Degree ◽  
Interest Group Influence

Public opinion alone cannot explain the trajectory of American social policy, but it is crucial in explaining the nature of social provision. Although most Americans are not highly knowledgeable about or interested in politics, and although their opinions are often shaped by misinformation, misperception, and framing effects, public opinion can offer broad guidance to politicians. Indeed, American social policy reflects majority preferences in a variety of ways: in the differential generosity of programs for "deserving" and "undeserving" target populations; in the extensive use of hidden and obscured modes of social provision such as tax expenditures; and in the modest degree of redistribution the American welfare state achieves. In addition, attentive and well-resourced members of the public, who receive the largest benefits from the system, have successfully prevented retrenchment attempts. Public opinion typically operates in conjunction with other factors, such as interest group influence or the institutional structure of the American system, to shape social policy outcomes.

Social Policy in Canada

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micheal L. Shier ◽  
John R. Graham
Keyword(s):  
Social Policy ◽  
Social Welfare ◽  
Economic System ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Voluntary Sector ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Policy Outcomes ◽  
Social Policies ◽  
Future Trends

The focus and aim of social policy in Canada have in part been determined by the unique sociohistorical and cultural context of the country. This entry provides a brief overview of the leading factors that have contributed to the development of social policy in Canada. Emphasis is placed on the economic, social, and cultural context of the development of the country, along with the system of governance and the ideological framework among the general populace. Following this contextualization, four dominant periods of social policy are described. These include the residual period, the emerging institutional period, the institutional period, and the postinstitutional period. In each era the forces leading to specific social policy outcomes are described. These include aspects of the changing economic system and emerging cultural and social needs among the population. Key social policies in each era are introduced and described. Fundamental to each period of social policy development are the efforts of the voluntary sector. In conclusion, future trends in social policy and social welfare in Canada are discussed.

Social Policy and the Capability Approach

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Policy ◽  
Policy Analysis ◽  
Capability Approach ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Social Policies ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Policy Fields ◽  
The Capability Approach

The capability approach, an increasingly popular conceptual and theoretical framework focused on what individuals are able to do and be, offers a unique evaluative perspective to social policy analysis. This book explores the advantages of this approach and offers a way forward in addressing conceptual and empirical issues as they apply specifically to social policy research and practice. Short conceptual and empirical chapters provide clear examples of how policies shape the capabilities of different groups and individuals, critically assessing the efficacy of different social policies across multiple social policy fields, providing both academic and practitioner viewpoints.

Morality, Reason, and Management Science: The Rationale of Cost-Benefit Analysis

1985 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Copp
Keyword(s):  
Social Policy ◽  
Policy Analysis ◽  
Economic Efficiency ◽  
Policy Maker ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Management Science ◽  
Social Policies ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Selection Of

The ProblemEconomic efficiency is naturally thought to be a virtue of social policies and decisions, and cost-benefit (CB) analysis is commonly regarded as a technique for measuring economic efficiency. It is not surprising, then, that CB analysis is so widely used in social policy analysis. However, there is a great deal of controversy about CB analysis, including controversy about its underlying philosophical rationale. The rationales that have been proposed fall into three basic, though not mutually exclusive categories. There are moralist views to the effect that an acceptable CB analysis would provide, or contribute to, an ethical appraisal of proposed policies or projects. There are rationalist views to the effect that an acceptable CB analysis would contribute to the selection of social policies and projects that are “socially rational.” Finally, there are so-called management science views to the effect that the purpose of CB analysis is to promote the achievement of objectives held by the policy maker, whatever they may be. Different positions are available within each of these categories. But there is also the possibility that CB analysis lacks any viable rationale. I will examine some of the major rationales for CB analysis in this paper, and I will suggest that the last view is close to the truth.

scholarly journals The Age-Orientation of Social Policy Regimes in OECD Countries

2001 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
JULIA LYNCH
Keyword(s):  
Social Policy ◽  
Social Insurance ◽  
The United States ◽  
Oecd Countries ◽  
Welfare States ◽  
Policy Outcomes ◽  
Social Policies ◽  
Demographic Structure ◽  
Policy Regimes ◽  
Education And Health

This article presents a series of measures of the extent to which social policies in twenty-one OECD countries are oriented towards the support of elderly (over 65 or in formal retirement) and non-elderly (under 65 and not retired) population groups. Employing breakdowns by age in spending on social insurance, education and health, tax expenditures on welfare substituting goods, and housing policy outcomes, this article shows that countries tend to demonstrate a consistent age-orientation across a variety of policy areas and instruments. After correcting for the demographic structure of the population, Greece, Japan, Italy, Spain and the United States have the most elderly-oriented social policy regimes, while the Netherlands, Ireland, Canada and the Nordic countries have a more age-neutral repertoire of social policies. In identifying the age-orientation of social policy as a dimension of distributive politics that is not captured by other welfare state typologies, this article suggests the need to develop new accounts of the development of welfare states that include the dimension of age.

Conceptualizing and Theorizing Social Policy, Poverty, and Inequality

2020 ◽  
pp. 22-37
Keyword(s):  
Social Policy ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Welfare States ◽  
Comprehensive Approach ◽  
Social Policies ◽  
Extreme Poverty ◽  
Policy Paradigm ◽  
Poverty And Inequality

The chapter conceptualizes and theorizes social policy in the context of poverty and inequality. Inequality and poverty are two concepts that are by definition multi-dimensional and, therefore, require a comprehensive approach. The chapter argues that different theories underpinned social policies of welfare states in their fight against extreme poverty and inequality. The chapter, therefore, seeks to examine the following concepts and theories as they influence the development and reform of social policies: conceptual clarifications of social policy, poverty, social exclusion and inclusion, social cohesion or equity, theoretical underpinnings that influence social policy development and reforms, and the new social policy paradigm.

Social Policies and Center-Right Governments in Argentina and Chile

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (03) ◽  
pp. 72-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Niedzwiecki ◽  
Jennifer Pribble
Keyword(s):  
Social Policy ◽  
Executive Branch ◽  
Welfare States ◽  
Cash Transfers ◽  
Policy Reforms ◽  
Left Turn ◽  
The Past ◽  
Poverty And Inequality ◽  
Left Party ◽  
Spending Cuts

AbstractLatin America's “left turn” expanded cash transfers and public services, contributing to lower poverty and inequality. Recently, right-leaning candidates and parties have begun to win back seats in the legislature, and in some cases have captured the executive branch. This shift has sparked debate about the future of Latin America's welfare states. This article analyzes social policy reforms enacted by two recent right-leaning governments: that of Sebastián Piñera in Chile (2010–14) and Mauricio Macri in Argentina (2015–). It finds that contrary to neoliberal adjustment policies of the past, neither Macri nor Piñera engaged in privatization or deep spending cuts. Instead, both administrations facilitated a process of policy drift in some sectors and marginal expansion in others. Policy legacies and the strength of the opposition help to explain these outcomes, suggesting that Latin America's political context has been transformed by the consolidation of democracy and the experience of left party rule.

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