Policy Press

The Struggle for Social Sustainability

Moral Conflicts in Global Social Policy

Edited by Christopher Deeming

Published

Sep 1, 2022

Page count

382 pages

ISBN

978-1447356110

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Apr 28, 2021

Page count

382 pages

ISBN

978-1447356103

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Apr 28, 2021

Page count

382 pages

ISBN

978-1447356134

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Apr 28, 2021

Page count

382 pages

ISBN

978-1447356134

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press
The Struggle for Social Sustainability

The ongoing social crises and moral conflicts evident in global social policy debates are addressed in this timely volume.

Leading interdisciplinary scholars focus on the ‘social’ of social policy, which is increasingly conceived in a globalised form, as new international agreements and global goals engender social struggles. They tackle pressing ‘social questions’, many of which have been exacerbated by COVID-19, including growing inequality, changing world population, ageing societies, migration and intersectional disadvantage.

This ground-breaking volume critically engages with contested conceptions of the social which are increasingly deployed by international institutions and policy makers. Focusing on social sustainability, social cohesion, social justice, social wellbeing and social progress this text is even more crucial as policy makers look to accelerate socially sustainable solutions to the world’s biggest challenges.

"75 years ago Karl Polanyi warned that our future is in question unless we accept the “reality of the social” and begin the work of decommodifying humanity and nature. Appearing not a minute too soon, Christopher Deeming’s deeply researched and impressive volume brings us closer than ever to achieving those goals by deftly navigating a global policy path strewn with moral exigencies." Margaret R. Somers, University of Michigan

“Featuring a team of distinguished contributors, this excellent volume is the best available introduction to current debates on social sustainability in global social policy.” Daniel Béland, McGill University, Canada

"In the era of global rentier capitalism and a mass precariat, it is vital to revive social policy. This compendium should become a standard reference guide." Guy Standing, SOAS University of London

“An impressive collection of essays around the ‘social question’ and ‘the social’ of social policy. A must read for those who are interested in sustainability debates and the evolution of global social policy.” Emanuele Ferragina, Sciences Po

Christopher Deeming is Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Strathclyde, with research interests in the field of Comparative and Global Social Policy. His latest works with Policy Press are Minimum Income Standards and Reference Budgets: International and Comparative Policy Perspectives (2020) and Reframing Global Social Policy: Social Investment for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth (2019).

The ‘social’ in the age of sustainability ~ Christopher Deeming

‘No such thing as society’?: Neoliberalism and the social ~ John Clarke

The social question: Reconciling social and economic imperatives in policy ~ Bradley W. Bateman

Disputing the economization and the de-politicization of ‘social’ investment in global social policy ~ Jean-Michel Bonvin and Francesco Laruffa

The social dimension of sustainable development at the UN: From Brundtland to the SDGs ~ Iris Borowy

Paradigm lost? Blocking the path to ecosocial welfare and post-productivism ~ Tony Fitzpatrick

World population at the UN: Our numbers are not our problem? ~ Danny Dorling

Ageing sustainably ~ Alan Walker

The political challenges to governing global migration and social welfare ~ Edward A. Koning

Bringing ‘the social’ into an intersectional analysis of global crises and welfare ~ Fiona Williams

Global social policy and the quasi-concept of social cohesion ~ Jane Jenson

Putting the global in social justice? ~ Gary Craig

‘Go-social’? Inclusive growth and global social governance ~ Christopher Deeming

For better or worse? ~ Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett

The struggle for social sustainability ~ Christopher Deeming