This volume by Sattwick Dey Biswas, Cleopas Gabriel Sambo and Sony Pellissery (eds.) offers a thorough examination of welfare systems across the Global South, with a particular focus on the development-oriented approach these countries have adopted, which stands in contrast to the social policy models of industrialized capitalist states.
Since the 1990s, the influence of globalization has had a significant impact on policy priorities within these regions. One of the key developments highlighted in the book is the growing prominence of political discourse surrounding social policy concepts that were originally developed in the Northern capitalist states. The volume explores how these concepts and debates are reshaping the welfare in the Global South.
The book is available at Oxford Academic.
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More about the book
The book addresses critical themes, including:
- Universalism vs. Selectivity: A deep dive into the ongoing debate around the scope and accessibility of welfare systems.
- Welfare Residuum: The challenges and implications of residual welfare systems that fail to support the most vulnerable.
- Poverty and Shame: An exploration of the newly emerging link between poverty and social stigma, and how welfare recipients are portrayed.
- Institutional Norms and Justice: Examining how welfare institutions either foster a sense of justice or contribute to feelings of shame among those seeking assistance.
- Absolute vs. Relative Poverty: Exploring the complex concept of poverty, looking at both absolute measures and relative inequalities.
- Gender: Examining how gender as an organizing social category shapes welfare.
In addition, the book critically examines the pendulum shift within social welfare policies and the politics surrounding the portrayal of welfare recipients, offering insights into how the Global South is navigating these challenges.
