"[W]e must tell the story of how social insurance programs have assured basic economic and health security for millions of AmericansÖ.This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about these goals." -From the Foreword by Barbara Kennelly President and CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare This politically charged, provocative text serves as an introduction to social insurance programs, examining all aspects of these hotly debated policies. The editors cover cutting-edge topics, including Social Security and privatization, universal health insurance, and how America's changing demographics will impact social security in the years to come. Five key sections cover the critical topics: Social Insurance: History, Politics, and Prospects examines the foundational social insurance principles upon which Social Security, Medicare, and other programs are based What's at Stake identifies the risks posed to women, minorities, and the elderly if they could no longer depend on social insurance programs The Ongoing Debates on Social Insurance discusses public opinions of social insurance programs, and responds to arguments supporting privatization Critical Perspectives on Social Insurance Reform presents international experiences and policy trends, and analyzes reform movements from a social justice perspective Teaching Social Insurance: Critical Pedagogy and Social Justice presents pedagogical strategies to help students understand, influence, and engage in an informed debate about social policy

This thought-provoking book examines the role of social protection in reducing inequality and enhancing social justice. It assesses social protection’s impact on inequality in different parts of the world and shows that if carefully designed, adequately funded and effectively implemented, it can make a significant contribution to reducing income, gender and other forms of inequality. In this way, it can promote egalitarian ideals and enhance social justice.

A timely examination of social policy through a social constructivist and economic lens, Social Policy and Social Change illuminates the root causes of common social problems and how policy has attempted to ameliorate them. In so doing, the book focuses on how social policies in the United States can be transformed to promote social justice for all groups. The book uniquely offers both an historical analysis of social problems and social policies, and an economic analysis of how capitalism and the market economy have contributed to social problems and impacted social policies. The book goes beyond the U.S. borders to examine the impact of globalization in the United States and in the Global South. It considers the meaning and impact of the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States and explores the policy solutions his administration has proposed to deal with the economic recession of 2008-2009. The book also discusses social workers as agents of social change and advocates of social and economic justice. It examines five key realms: Poverty in families and the welfare system, poverty among the elderly and social security, child maltreatment and child welfare policy, health and mental health policy, and housing policy. Social Policy and Social Change is a primary text for social policy/social welfare policy courses in MSW programs and possibly some higher level BSW programs. It will be supplemented with a comprehensive ancillary program, including a test bank, instructor's manual, and student website.

Focuses on values and the historical impact of socio-economic structures Understanding Social Welfare: A Search for Social Justice is presented in an organized, comprehensive, and scholarly manner, including social policy concepts. It is accessible to students and helps them acquire the basic tools for understanding, analyzing, and evaluating social welfare policies and programs. This text focuses on the impact of social structure on people’s lives, emphasizing the current concerns of diverse client populations and the search for social justice. It places U.S. welfare in philosophical, political, economic, and international contexts, and includes the latest discussion of policy issues related to gay men and lesbians. A better teaching and learning experience This program will provide a better teaching and learning experience--for you and your students. Here's how: Improve Critical Thinking – Challenges readers to make their own decisions as they encounter policies and programs with enhanced knowledge and analytic skills. Engage Students – Presents the historical evolution of social welfare and focuses on issues, trends, and conflicts in the context of influential societal developments and values. Explore Current Issues – Includes the latest discussion of policy issues related to gay men and lesbians. Support Instructors – An Instructor’s Manual and Test Bank, Computerized Test Bank (MyTest), Blackboard Test Item File, and PowerPoint presentations are included in the outstanding supplements package.