166-414 Comparative Social Policy

Admission to the MSP, MPPM, or the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in sociology.

This subject uses a comparative approach to analyse key areas of contemporary social policy, with a focus on the reform strategies that emerged over the 1990s. The subject examines the different social policy responses that have characterised these strategies, and considers ways of evaluating policy models in key areas. It engages with social policy in Australia, Europe and North America, emerging social policy in Asia, as well as with the increasing role of international organizations. The subject focuses on key policy areas, drawn from family policy, health policy, employment policy, ageing and urban policies.

Written work totalling 10 000 words.

• P Pierson (ed), The New Politics of the Welfare State. Oxford University Press 2001.
• G Esping Anderson, The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism. Polity Press 1990.