Globalization, Inequality and Social Policy: China on the Threshold of Entry into the World Trade Organization

Over the past twenty years, social researchers have had increasingly to turn from domestic to international and global perspectives in their efforts to account for growing levels of social inequality and in their search for practical policy solutions. It is against this background that China's recent experience is to be appreciated. The combined programme of economic reform coupled with an open-door policy has achieved much, yet has been accompanied by marked increases in social inequality. Until recently, most experts seemed to believe this trend to be a mere transitional "by-product" of domestic economic reform. Further social reform, backed by sustained economic growth, would be sufficient to resolve the problem. However, the facts now suggest otherwise. Sustained economic growth and reform, especially from the later 1990s, has been accompanied by ever-widening social inequality, with no signs of an end in sight. This is a critical period. China is now on the eve of entry into the WTO, with all the anxieties as well as rewards this signals for the Chinese people. Against this background the present paper weighs up the likely impact of globalization on China's social structure and its systems of social protection. It concludes by offering suggestions for international social policy advance both "longitudinal" (between developed and developing countries) and "latitudinal" (between developing countries in competition with each other). Only by means of such "joint efforts" might China hope to escape the "social protection dilemmas" associated with entry into the WTO.     

Towards a convergence of European social models?

The European Union (EU) has chosen to construct itself through its currency. The social dimension has been left at a secondary level, based on the principle that economic progress will end up "pulling" social models "upwards" This optimism now looks somewhat misplaced. For a whole series of reasons, European social protection systems are threatened by regression: the emergence of liberal economic ideas, the need to be competitive, the implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact, the fact that the differences in the levels of remuneration and social benefits in Euroland are more evident owing to the single currency and, as a result, the harsher social and fiscal competition. If Europe wishes to avoid the risks of social fragmentation due to the "leveling down" of social protection, it will have to organize a minimum threshold of EU solidarity.     

A Model for Social Work with Involuntary Applicants in Groups

Labeled "hard-to-reach," "resistant," or "unmotivated," involuntary applicants are referred to social workers by coercion and for reasons not of their own choosing (Goldstein, 1986). Although the number of involuntary applicants has been growing in recent years (Cingolani, 1984; Murdach, 1980), the literature reflects only limited attention to working with them. In spite of the special potential of the social work group for helping such applicants, scarcity of knowledge in this area is striking. This limited attention is curious in a society that values democracy and individual freedom (Harris and Watkins, 1987:16). It is particularly serious for social work because of the profession's special concern for clients' self-determination. It has contributed to social workers' frustration and their loss of credibility in working with involuntary applicants. This paper proposes a general model for social work with involuntary applicants in groups. The paper includes a discussion of the problem and issues, a theoretical perspective, several principles for practice, and application of the perspective and principles to social work with groups.     

北京市社会阶层结构状况与特点分析

北京市社会阶层结构正在由传统的“金字塔型”结构向现代的“橄榄型”阶层结构方向发展,其较低阶层的比例远远小于全国的比例,社会中间阶层正在形成。具体地看有以下几个特点:1.阶层结构在向现代社会阶层结构转变;2.农民工构成了较低职业阶层的主体;3.城市户籍人口中间阶层化;4.外来人口是一个异质性很强的群体,也呈现阶层分化的态势。从未来发展趋势看,农业劳动者阶层将继续缩小,商业服务业人员、个体私营企业主以及以脑力劳动为主的办事人员、专业技术人员阶层还将继续扩大,逐渐演变为一个以社会中间阶层为主的现代化阶层结构。     

制度的"路径依赖"对中国近代技术发展的影响

将技术的发展置于广阔的社会制度背景下,对于理解中国近代以来技术的发展至关重要。制度的框架决定了技术的发展方式和内容,制度变迁过程中的“路径依赖”决定了与中国近代技术发展过程相伴的制度始终保持着对历史的“记忆”。在中国两千年“官僚集权”的社会中,“官—民”二重结构的基本制度环境始终影响着社会资源的配置;“重农抑商”政策下的“禁榷”、“官工业”等制度安排“暗示”了洋务运动中的企业制度和技术激励制度的内容;官本位的文化积淀决定了技术创新主体的价值取向和能力配置。制度壁垒导致中国近代技术引进的低效率。总结历史经验是我们今天和未来做出正确抉择的重要依据。     

Social security in a globalizing world

The main burden of the paper is to argue for enlarging both the concept and the coverage of social security, especially in developing countries, to address the twin problems of "deficiency" and "adversity". The two parts of this enlarged concept of social security are Basic Social Security (BSS) and Contingent Social Security (CSS). To strengthen the argument, lessons have been highlighted from the historical experience of Western countries, where the State played a leading role. Having argued for the extension of BSS, the paper also deals with the extension of CSS. This is best done through the informal economy, which employs a large majority of workers in developing countries. While the primacy of the State has been highlighted, the paper develops a typology of various social security models that could be used to study and understand the existing arrangements as well as the potentialities for extension.     

Reforming social security in economies in transition: Problems and policies in the former Soviet Republic of Moldova

In the Republic of Moldova, as in other former Soviet republics, a great deal of pressure has been put on the social security system by the removal of general consumer subsidies and their replacement with targeted compensation payments (assistance). The growth of assistance needs has made it difficult to reform earnings-related pension provision along "insurance" lines. There have also been adverse developments in the labour market. Large-scale open unemployment has not emerged, but insurance contributions are not being paid. Some of the measures which have been adopted to deal with the resulting financial crisis are counterproductive for the development of a social security system compatible with a market economy.     

AIDS Exceptionalism: On the Social Psychology of HIV Prevention Research

The current analysis considers the  human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)  prevention research record in the social sciences. We do so with special reference to what has been termed "AIDS Exceptionalism"—departures from standard public health practice and prevention research priorities in favor of alternative approaches to prevention that, it has been argued, emphasize individual rights at the expense of public health protection. In considering this issue, we review the historical context of the HIV epidemic; empirically demonstrate a pattern of prevention research characterized by systematic neglect of prevention interventions for HIV-infected persons; and articulate a rationale for "Prevention for Positives," supportive prevention efforts tailored to the needs of HIV+ individuals. We then propose a social psychological conceptualization of processes that appear to have influenced developments in HIV prevention research and directed its focus to particular target populations. Our concluding section considers whether there are social and research policy lessons to be learned from the record of HIV prevention research that might improve our ability to address effectively, equitably, and in timely fashion future epidemics that play out, as HIV does, at the junction of biology and behavior.     

Transformation: Canadian Social Policy Since 1985

This paper sets out to document and explain the major structural changes which have taken place in Canada's social security system since the mid-1980s. Most major programs have been cut back one way or another, in response to a combination of pressures. Foremost amongst these has been the commitment to reduce federal and provincial government deficits. In addition there have been the consequences of high unemployment and increasing job insecurity, demographic and social changes, and "tax fatigue" on the part of the public. The paper documents major recent changes of social policy both in general—with regard to the changed approach evident at federal level and its effect on social transfers to the provinces—and in respect of key programs, including unemployment/employment insurance, old age pensions/the Canada Pension Plan, and child benefits. The paper next identifies "currents and undercurrents" common to all of the developments commented on: the decline of universality, the practice of "social policy-making by stealth", the evidence of the contemporary Canadian public's "collective ambivalence and loss of memory" in respect of the major, historic social programs. It concludes by urging the case for social reinvestment in genuinely sustainable social policy, in the currently more favourable fiscal climate.     

The greying of the baby boom in the United States: framing the policy debate

Issues surrounding the retirement of the large post-World War II "baby boom" generation in the United States are often framed either in terms of impending intergenerational crisis or as an event to which the United States can gradually adjust. This paper examines these two perspectives as they compete to define US social security policy. It suggests that the intergenerational crisis perspective functions primarily as an ideological argument and strategy for de-structuring social welfare policy. In contrast, the gradual adjustment perspective provides a stronger basis for planning social security and other policy responses to the ageing of the baby boom. However, it is not informed by a clear social vision and has not, as yet, responded sufficiently to the potential divisiveness which may accompany changing demography. Also, to date, relatively little attention has been paid to the diverse social and economic circumstances of baby boomers and the implications of this diversity for retirement planning.     

追寻"活"着的神圣 --马克思的哲学视界中

马克思对人的本质的规定,内蕴着"神圣"这一人之为人的生活向度,这对于处于理论成熟期之前和之后的马克思都不例外.1845年以后,马克思将人的本质指定为现实"社会关系的总和",使"神圣"之于人不再是一个永恒不变的"质点".神圣通过社会关系的三个维度而呈立体状,马克思哲学中的神圣由此而"活"了起来.追寻"活"着的神圣,这是作为现代哲学的马克思哲学超越传统哲学的理论特色之一.     

Towards a Scientific Social Work

This paper critically examines efforts to make social work a more scientifically based profession. Although social workers have long sought to make their profession scientific, consensus on the nature of such a science has been difficult to achieve. An argument is presented for a relatively "open" model of science for social work. Support for this position is based on the lack of clarity regarding a definition of science, shortcomings of traditional approaches, and an examination of alternative perspectives.     

从熟人社会到弱熟人社会——来自皖西山区村落人际交往关系的社会网络分析

熟人社会”理论虽被广泛应用,但由于一直没有相应的指标来测量,故逐渐被刻板化。本研究使用社会网络分析方法,以皖南山区自然村落的人际交往关系为分析对象,从强弱关系的视角,重新测量发现：自然村落内村民之间的网络依赖于间接连接构成;强交往关系中存在大量孤立的个体,而且整体网络断裂的风险也较高;弱交往关系中基本上不存在孤立的个体,其整体网络断裂的风险较低。在这种情况下,即使自然村落内的村民之间也难以熟知,本研究将这个社会特征概括为弱熟人社会。     

Social Politics and Policy in an Era of Globalization: Critical Reflections

This paper critically examines the ways in which social policy is said to be affected by globalization. The prevailing approach has been framed in terms of the impact of "external" economic forces on national welfare states. Globalization is said to undermine the economic and political conditions on which welfare states were built, erode national policy autonomy and force the marketization and residualization of welfare states. These predictions are found wanting on the grounds that they share many of the assumptions, and therefore also the faults, of "strong" globalization theory. A more nuanced account of the way in which social politics and social policy are affected by globalization is needed and a global governance perspective is outlined. This, it is argued, better captures the political and institutional environment in which social policy is formulated and implemented. It also recognizes the importance of "local" factors and their interaction with global ones in shaping political responses, including social policy, to globalization. The discussion highlights the enduring power of "local" forces—those which are at the level of and internal to states—and of politics and ideology in shaping the process of globalization and ultimately its implications for welfare states and social policies.     

Regaining Promise

This paper explores several facets of feminist theory for its power to focus social group work practice with vulnerable populations more precisely. Through its examination of male-female relationships feminism has forced us to develop our subjective consciousness of the minute and massive ways in which one vulnerable population has been marginalized over time and in all cultures. Given this "dawning of insight" about women we may be in a better position to utilize the skills of social group work to change ourselves and the contexts of our lives.     

Ethics of care and social policy

Care work is to a high degree equivalent with female work and has not, to any great extent, been of interest to traditional social sciences. Women's studies has however changed this, and today there is a broad academic discussion about care work as well as about the concept of care itself. This article reviews this discussion; the concepts of care and ethics are linked and given feminine content. With reference to studies within the authors' research programme: "Care for the elderly: conditions and everyday realities", results are then reviewed that show how organizational, political and ideological relationships affect the content and quality of care. Finally, European social policy trends and the consequences of new systems of paying for care are discussed from a gender perspective. The authors warn against a context-free coupling between women and an ethic of care, and show how neoliberal politics can use feminist "struggle concepts" to put women "back in their place".     

"诚信龙江"构建的理性分析

作为美德或个人修养、伦理规则或公共道德的现代诚信范畴,最终要通过社会的制度安排体现出来.黑龙江省在向市场经济转型过程中,浓重的计划经济色彩及其衍生的思想观念、行为方式,使其诚信社会建设较之发达省份存在着严重的体制性障碍.鉴于此,扭转诚信缺失现象,构建"诚信龙江",需要建立一个系统的、全面的、科学的社会诚信管理评价体系框架,并借助现代信息化的力量,构筑有效的支撑平台.     

CRISIS THEORY AND SOCIAL GROUP WORK

From a particular social group work perspective the con. cept of crisis has a different meaning than from the way it has been formulatedand used in social casework. Crisis is perceived as a variation of ongoing experience and an existential model of worker intervention replaces the medical model. The central themes of the paper are: (1) all living is struggle and all struggle is crisis; (2) crises are to be confronted, not eliminated: (3) all crises are group phenomena: (4) existentially, crises give expression to people's "here and now" being; (5) medical or psychological categories do not accurately describe crises for social workers and should be translated into "here and now" behavioral terms.     

Spirituality and social work in long-term care

The spiritual aspect of care of elders in long term care has only recently been re-affirmed. A social worker who has volunteered, worked, and consulted in nursing homes shares her perspective on the importance of the "spiritual" to nursing home social work. From the perspective of 40 years of involvement in long term care, she offers suggestions for assessment, education of staff, affirming rights in the religious arena. Workers are encouraged to keep hope alive for themselves as well as for those with whom they work.     

过渡治理情境下的中国社会服务困境:基于Z市社会工作服务的研究

社会工作近十年来在创新社会治理的推动下发展迅速。本文将重点关注于社会服务组织的服务供给过程及其导致的社会服务困境。通过对治理情境的拓展分析,引入过渡治理情境概念,分析我国社会服务供给。在此情境下,本文以Z市家庭综合服务中心为例,围绕自由裁量权这一概念讨论社会服务组织的服务供给策略及其所导致的服务困境。在过渡治理情境中,消极的自由裁量权与社会工作的半专业化发展结合在一起,社会服务组织选择了“活动化”和“指标化”的服务供给,令社会服务处于创新和碎片化之间,而导致社会服务陷入困境。社会服务困境根源的解决在于建立合作的治理情境、强化本土化社工专业力量以及充分发挥第三方的社会服务供给效力。