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The Bitter Pill: Austerity, Debt, And The Attack On Europe's Welfare States, Howard Karger

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

There is a general belief among may European policymakers that the current debt problem in some Eurozone countries is caused by the unsustainable levels of governmental spending required to maintain overly generous welfare state programs, a bloated public sector, overly generous pension levels, state subsidies, and low user fees for services. Their proposed solution lies in implementing stringent austerity measures designed to discipline debt-ridden governments by cutting public budgets, reducing the number of public sector workers, curbing social benefits, and sharply narrowing the scope of the welfare state. Based on a belief in ‘expansionary austerity,’ this approach repudiates a key …

Between Retrenchment And Recalibration: The Impact Of Austerity On The Irish Social Protection System, Fiona Dukelow, Mairead Considine

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article analyzes the impact of austerity on the Irish social protection system. The analysis is situated in Ireland’s wider financial and economic crisis and its status as an ‘early adopter’ of an austerity response which has continued under European Union/International Monetary Fund intervention. We focus on how the crisis instigated a political narrative about the cost and design of the social protection system, leading to a programme of retrenchment and reform which has blended a politics of blame avoidance with credit claiming. Three core elements in this narrative— generosity, sustainability and suitability— are identified, and against this background, a …

Italian Welfare In The Aftermath Of The Economic Crisis: Neoliberal Reforms And Limits To The Path Dependency Approach, Ijin Hong

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The 2008 world economic crisis provided a plausible rationale for policy makers in Italy to push forward long needed welfare cuts, resulting in the neoliberal austerity trend fostered by the Monti government (2011-2012). This paper seeks to understand the logic behind the welfare reforms in Italy after the 2008 economic crisis by describing implemented measures and reviewing available theoretical approaches in literature that could account for the reforms’ neoliberal shift from a path-dependent theoretical approach. It is argued that external forces, that is the economic crisis and EU pressures, represented the main trigger, and that political elites marginalized the role …

Rolling Downhill: Effects Of Austerity On Local Government Social Services In The United States, David B. Miller, Terry Hokenstad

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Austerity policies have been instituted in countries around the world attempting to address the fallout from the global economic crisis beginning in 2008 and still lingering through today. While the literature debates the economic impact of these policies, limited attention has been given to the effects of austerity at the local governmental level. It is posited that at the local government level, the effects of austerity policies are most noticeable and detrimental. States and local municipalities are “switching roles” with the federal government (Davidson, 2013, p. 1). They are providing jobs and social welfare services in the gap left by …

Queensland's Budget Austerity And Its Impact On Social Welfare: Is The Cure Worse Than The Disease?, Gregory Marston

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

While considerable attention has been paid to the austerity experiments in Europe, much less attention has been paid to austerity case studies from other parts of the world. This paper examines the case of Queensland, Australia, where the government has pursued austerity measures, while making dire warnings that unless public debt was slashed and the public service sector downsized, Queensland risked becoming the Spain of Australia. The comparison is incomprehensible, given the very different economic situation in Queensland compared with Spain. This comparison constructed a sense of crisis that helped to mask standard neoliberal economic reform. While pursuing neoliberal economic …

Review Of The Origins Of Active Social Policy: Labour Market And Childcare Policies In A Comparative Perspective. Giuliano Bonoli. Reviewed By James Midgley, James Midgley

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Giuliano Bonoli, The Origins of Active Social Policy: Labour Market and Childcare Policies in a Comparative Perspective. Oxford University Press (2013). $ 99.00 (hardcover).

Review Of Sustainable Failures: Environmental Policy And Democracy In A Petro-Dependent World. Sherry Cable. Reviewed By Chris Williams, Chris Williams

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Sherry Cable, Sustainable Failures: Environmental Policy and Democracy in a Petro-Dependent World. Temple University Press (2012). $29.95 (paperback).

Review Of Mental Health And Social Policy. Beyond Managed Care (6th Ed.). David Mechanic, Donna D. Mcalpine, And David A. Rochefort. Reviewed By Christopher G. Hudson, Christopher G. Hudson

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

David Mechanic, Donna D. McAlpine, and David A. Rochefort, Mental Health and Social Policy: Beyond Managed Care (6th ed.). Pearson (2014). $120.47 (paperback).

Review Of The New Black: What Has Changed – And What Has Not – With Race In America. Kenneth W. Mack & Charles Guy-Uriel (Eds.). Reviewed By Johnnie Hamilton-Mason., Johnnie Hamilton-Mason

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Kenneth W. Mack & Charles Guy-Uriel (Eds.), The New Black: What Has Changed – and What Has Not – with Race in America. The New Press (2013). $21.95 (paperback).

Review Of The Globalization Of Supermax Prisons. Jeffrey Ian Ross (Ed.). Reviewed By Ann Marie Rocheleau., Ann Marie K. Rocheleau

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Jeffrey Ian Ross (Ed.), The Globalization of Supermax Prisons. Rutgers University Press (2013). $28.95 (paperback), $72.00 (hardcover).

Resident Perceptions Of Redevelopment And Gentrification In The Heartside Neighborhood: Lessons For The Social Work Profession, Mackenzi Huyser, Judi Ravenhorst Meerman

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article reports on how residents experience neighborhood redevelopment efforts and gentrification. Research on gentrification has been dominated by studies on displacement and other factors that impact neighborhood mobility. This article explores how low-income and homeless residents experience gentrification by using in-depth interviews with residents still living in the Heartside neighborhood (Grand Rapids, MI). Findings are evident in three broad areas: sense of belonging, recognition of changes in the neighborhood, and restrictions in the neighborhood. Discussion of these findings and implications for social workers are presented.

Latino Migration To Protestantism: A Historical, Socio-Cultural, Ecclesiastical Analysis, Larry Ortiz

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The “browning of America” in the 21st century has brought about many social changes within the heterogeneous group known as Latinos and among the general U.S. population and its other ethnic groups. One notable change is religious preferences among recent immigrants and second and third generation Latinos in favor of Protestantism. Although Latinos have for many years had a limited presence among Protestant groups, over the last decade or two there has occurred a significant defection from the Roman Catholic Church to evangelicalism in particular. The implications of this are quite unknown to social workers and social scientists but are …

The Impact Of Gender And Social Networks On Microenterprise Business Performance, Seon-Mi Kim, Margaret Sherraden

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Why are some people more successful than others in starting new businesses? Are women more or less successful than men? This study investigates relationships among gender, social networks, and microenterprise business performance. It examines existing theories and research on gender differences in social networks and whether gender differences affect female micro-entrepreneurs’ business performance. The purpose of this study is to help U.S. Microenterprise Development Programs create strategies to enhance the ability of female micro-entrepreneurs to gain economic benefits from their social networks. The paper identifies key gaps in theory, proposes an alternative research framework, and suggests directions for future research …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 41, No. 3 (September 2014)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Table of Contents

RESIDENT PERCEPTIONS OF REDEVELOPMENT AND GENTRIFICATION IN THE HEARTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD: LESSONS FOR THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION - Mackenzi Huyser and Judi Ravenhorst Meerman

LATINO MIGRATION TO PROTESTANTISM: A HISTORICAL, SOCIO-CULTURAL, ECCLESIASTICAL ANALYSIS - Larry Ortiz

THE IMPACT OF GENDER AND SOCIAL NETWORKS ON MICROENTERPRISE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE - Seon Mi Kim and Margaret Sherraden

SOCIAL POLICY AND STATE CAPACITY IN IRAN: HEALTH AND EDUCATION POLICY FROM 1981-2009 - Masoumeh Qarakhani

INCOME PACKAGING STRATEGIES OF ECONOMICALLY DISCONNECTED WOMEN AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL POLICY AND PRACTICE - Andrea Hetling, Jinwoo Kwon, and Elizabeth Mahn

THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE SECONDARY …

Social Policy And State Capacity In Iran: Health And Education Policy From 1981-2009, Masoumeh Qarakhani

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The fact that states operate under different structures and capacities in order to provide welfare and social justice for their citizens has been the subject of various studies. Since the capacity of states differs at various times and in different situations, their capabilities for welfare provision vary as well. The present paper draws upon the state-centered framework, applying quantitative methods and secondary data to study the relationship between state capacity and two aspects of social policy, education and health in Iran from 1981 to 2009. The findings reveal that there is no statistically significant relationship between state capacity and education …

Review Of Capital In The Twenty-First Century. Thomas Piketty. Reviewed By Charles Levenstein, Charles Levenstein

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Thomas Piketty, Capital in the Twenty-First Century. Harvard University Press (2014). Translated by Arthur Goldhammer. $39.95 (hardcover), 696 pages.

When Government Helped: Learning From The Successes And Failures Of The New Deal. Sheila D. Collins And Gertrude Schaffner Goldberg (Eds.). Reviewed By Robert D. Leighninger, Jr., Robert D. Leighninger Jr.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Sheila D. Collins and Gertrude Schaffner Goldberg (Eds.), When Government Helped: Learning from the Successes and Failures of the New Deal. Oxford University Press (2014). $39.95 paperback, 360 pages.

Review Of My Dog Always Eats First: Homeless People And Their Animals. Leslie Irvine. Reviewed By Tiffany A. Parsons, Tiffany Parsons

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Leslie Irvine, My Dog Always Eats First: Homeless People and Their Animals. Lynne Rienner (2013). $55.00 (hardcover), 140 pages.

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 41, No. 4 (December 2014)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Table of Contents

ARE PAYDAY LOANS REALLY EVIL? CONTROVERSY, REGULATION, AND INNOVATION IN THE SECONDARY FINANCIAL SERVICES MARKET - David Stoesz

INDIVIDUAL AND COUNTRY-LEVEL INSTITUTIONAL TRUST AND PUBLIC ATTITUDE TO WELFARE EXPENDITURES IN 24 TRANSITIONAL COUNTRIES - Nazim Habibov

THE INFLUENCE OF VETERAN STATUS, PSYCHIATRIC DIAGNOSIS, AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY ON INADEQUATE SLEEP - Andrew S. London, Sarah A. Burgard, and Janet M. Wilmoth

CORRELATES OF JOB BURNOUT AMONG HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS: IMPLICATIONS FOR WORKFORCE RETENTION - Madhavappallil Thomas, Vandana Kohli, and Jong Choi

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPATHY AND ATTITUDES TOWARD GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION - M. Alex Wagaman and Elizabeth A. …

The Influence Of Veteran Status, Psychiatric Diagnosis, And Traumatic Brain Injury On Inadequate Sleep, Andrew S. London, Sarah A. Burgard, Janet Wilmoth

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Adequate sleep is essential for health, social participation, and wellbeing. We use 2010 and 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (N = 35,602) to examine differences in sleep adequacy between: non-veterans; non-combat veterans with no psychiatric diagnosis or traumatic brain injury (TBI); combat veterans with no psychiatric diagnosis or TBI; and veterans (non-combat and combat combined) with a psychiatric diagnosis and/or TBI. On average, respondents reported 9.28 days of inadequate sleep; veterans with a psychiatric diagnosis and/or TBI reported the most—12.25 days. Multivariate analyses indicated that veterans with a psychiatric diagnosis and/or TBI had significantly more days of inadequate …

Social Responsibility And Altruism In Smalland Medium-Sized Innovative Businesses, Nancy C. Jurik, Ramsi Bodine

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study examines the interview narratives of owners of 73 small and medium-sized businesses from a large metropolitan area located in the southwestern U.S. Our analysis focuses on owner discussions of their motivations and goals for starting and running their own businesses. Our findings reveal three central motivational narrative themes: (1) traditional business-centered success outcomes—a category we refer to as “Business is Business”; (2) owners’ personal and family well-being and fulfillment, labeled as “Business is Personal”; and (3) social responsibility concerns directed toward the betterment of other people and society more generally that we labeled as “Business is Doing Good.” …

Goffman And The Infantilization Of Elderly Persons: A Theory In Development, Stephen M. Marson, Rasby M. Powell

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Infantilization is a behavioral pattern in which a person of authority interacts with, responds to, or treats an elderly person in a child-like manner. This paper uses Erving Goffman’s theories as a framework from which to analyze the reasons for and the results of infantilization of elderly residents in partial and total institutions (i.e., adult day care centers and nursing homes). First, we review the literature on infantilization. Next, we offer a brief summary of Goffman’s work and delineate his major theoretical assumptions. Then, we analyze the process of infantilization through Goffman’s theories. Finally, we offer suggestions for advancing research …

Exploring Factors Associated With Citizens’ Perception Of Their Political Environment: Evidence From Palestine, Najwa S. Safadi, Margaret Lombe

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study explores factors associated with citizens’ perception of their political environment in Palestine (N = 1270). Understanding these factors in this context has potential to enhance knowledge in relation to features that may be associated with dissatisfaction and civil unrest. This knowledge may help inform development of policies with greater potential to improve welfare. Overall, results of this study suggested that gender, government anti-corruption initiatives, and the country’s economic condition are important in explaining appraisal of the political environment as stable or unstable. Implications for welfare and scholarship are discussed.

Review Of On The Run: Fugitive Life In An American City. Alice Goffman. Reviewed By Jennifer Zelnick, Jennifer R. Zelnick

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Alice Goffman, On the Run: Fugitive Life in an American City. University of Chicago Press (2014). 288 pages, $25.00 (hardcover).

Review Of Towards A Social Investment Welfare State? Ideas, Policies, And Challenges. Nathalie Morel, Bruno Palier, And Joakim Palme, Eds. Reviewed By Gertrude Schaffner Goldberg, Gertrude S. Goldberg

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Nathalie Morel, Bruno Palier, and Joakim Palme, Eds., Towards a Social Investment Welfare State? Ideas, Polices, and Challenges. Policy Press (2012). $100 (hardcover).