Policy Press

Social Policy, Political Economy and the Social Contract

By Jonathan Wistow

Published

Jul 20, 2022

Page count

190 pages

ISBN

978-1447352617

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jul 20, 2022

Page count

190 pages

ISBN

978-1447352600

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jul 20, 2022

Page count

190 pages

ISBN

978-1447352631

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jul 20, 2022

Page count

190 pages

ISBN

978-1447352631

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press
Social Policy, Political Economy and the Social Contract

In this challenging and original study, Jonathan Wistow positions social policy within political economy and social contract debates.

Focusing on individual, intergenerational and societal outcomes related to health, place and social mobility in England, he draws on empirical evidence to show how the social contract produces long-standing, highly patterned and inequitable consequences in these areas. Globalisation and the political economy simultaneously contribute to the extent and nature of social problems and to social policy’s capacity to address them effectively.

Applying social contract theory, this book shows that society needs to take ownership of the outcomes it produces and critically interrogates the individualism inherent within the political economy.

Jonathan Wistow is Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Durham University.

1. Introduction

2. The political economy

3. Globalisation and devolution

4. Place: uneven geographies and spatial inequalities

5. Health and health inequalities

6. Social mobility

7. The intergenerational contract

8. Conclusion