Policy Press

Corporate power and social policy in a global economy

British welfare under the influence

By Kevin Farnsworth

Published

Jan 28, 2004

Page count

232 pages

ISBN

978-1861344731

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jan 28, 2004

Page count

232 pages

ISBN

978-1861344748

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press
Corporate power and social policy in a global economy

Spanning the complete era of the Conservative governments and the first term of New Labour, this book looks at mechanisms of corporate power and influence; corporate opinion and influence in a range of social policy areas including: education, training, health and social security; changing business influence on social policy in recent years in an international context and business involvement in social policy initiatives and welfare delivery.

By exploring business views and opinions, power, influence and involvement in social provision, this book helps to address important questions in social policy and, in so doing, goes some way towards closing a gaping hole in the current literature. 

The book's breadth and multidisciplinary approach will appeal not only to students of social policy, but also to students of business, public sector management and politics, their teachers and policy makers in the field.

"... highly readable. An important contribution to the literature. A useful storehouse of information." Political Science Quarterly

"... a remarkable study. An accessible, scholarly and original contribution to the existing literature and policy debates." Journal of Social Policy

"... original and important. There is no general study of the rising influences of business on social policy in Britain. This book fills that gap." Ian Gough, Department of Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath

Kevin Farnsworth is a Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at London South Bank University. He has previously published work on the CBI and social policy, globalisation and corporate power, and the role of business partnerships in combating social exclusion.

Introduction: globalisation, corporate power and social policies; Business and social policy; Globalisation, corporate structural power and social policy; Globalisation, Europeanisation, corporate agency power and social policy; The national level: business and social policy in the UK; Business and local welfare services; The social policies of corporations: occupational welfare and corporate social responsibility; Conclusion: corporate power and social policy in global context.