SWOK 1015 Lecture 6

Social Development Practice and

Models of Social Intervention
Dr. LU Shiyu Tracy
2024
Outline
• Review Lecture 1-5
• Social development perspectives
• In-class exercise
Social Policy and Social Welfare
• “…Deliberate interventions by the state to redistribute
resources amongst its citizens so as to achieve a welfare
objective” (Baldock et al., 2007, p. xxii)
• Social Policy is viewed as a benefit allocation mechanism
functioning outside the marketplace.
Examples of Social Policy
• Direct provision:
• Cash, e.g. CSSA (綜援), Old Age Allowance (生果金)
• Services, e.g. youth, elderly, family….services
• Goods, e.g. Food bank
• Vouchers, e.g. health care, community & residential care
• Provide subsidy to organizations to:
• Deliver social welfare services
• Purchase services provided by existing organization
• Through legislations and regulations
• e.g. minimum wage legislation 最低工資立法
• Support and strengthen informal support networks
• e.g. develop social capital, collaboration with different sectors
• Social insurance, e.g. medical issuance
• Fiscal measures through tax exemptions & tax credits, e.g. public annuity scheme 「公共年金計
劃」
The “black box” in the social policy design
• Why is social welfare designed in this
way?
• Are there any alternatives to the current
social welfare/social policy?
• Any values behind the social policy
choice?

• The range of alternatives within each

dimension
• The social values that support them
• The theories or assumptions
The key components in social policy framework

1. Types of benefits
What kinds of benefits are provided? In kind In cash
(social control) (freedom of choice)

2. Eligibility
Who benefits? Universal Selective
(Social effective) (cost effective)

3. Delivery structure
How are the benefits delivered? State Leve of efficiency
Privatization

4. Mode of finance Public Fee charging /

financing Distribution of responsibility Contributory scheme
What ways to finance the benefits?
Standard Lump sum grant
cost system Control/ centralization vs discretion /decentralization
Liberty
• What is freedom / liberty?
• Two categories of liberty/freedom
• Positive liberty(積極的自由)
positive liberty is the possibility of acting in such a way as
to take control of one's life and realize one's fundamental
purposes.
Freedom to do something
• Negative liberty (消極的自由)
• is the absence of obstacles, barriers or constraints. One
has negative liberty to the extent that actions are available
to one in this negative sense.
• Freedom from doing something
Equality
• Equality occupies the central place of debates in social policy
• At the heart of the disputes around the concept of equality lies the
question posed by Sen: ‘equality of what?’ (1992, p 12).
• Equality of outcome vs. Equality of opportunity
•
Equality of outcomes might be a nightmare
• Problems with Equalitarianism
1. Human beings are different from each other
2. Equalitarianism is coercion and lack of freedom
Equality of opportunity
• give individuals an equal starting point in an unequal society instead of equal
outcome
Equity
• The concept of equity better grasps the point that people are different and that the
best way of achieving a more equal set of outcomes is not necessarily by treating
everyone the same.
• ‘An equitable approach means treating people fairly, but differently, in order to
ensure that there is some equality between them at the end’ (Blakemore and
Griggs, 2007, p 23).
• For example, it is generally regarded as fair or equitable to give extra social
security to disabled people in order to help meet the additional costs associated
with disability. If disabled people were paid the same as non-disabled in the name
of equality, it would be inequitable because their living standards would be lower
than those of non-disabled people.
Value of social welfare - Justice
John Rawl’s theory of Social Justice
• Justice is the first virtue of social institutions
• The principles of justice are chosen behind a veil of
ignorance
• 無知之幕
• A just social contract: If we did not know in advance
where we ourselves would end up in the society that
we are agreeing to
• This condition of ignorance is known as the original
position. “No-one knows his place in society, his class
position or social status, nor does anyone know his
fortune in the distribution of natural assets and
abilities, his intelligence, strength and the like". (Rawls,
1971, p.12)
Two Principles of Justice
The First Principle︰
• Each person is to have an equal right to the
most extensive total system of equal basic
liberties compatible with a similar system of
liberty for all (liberty principle)
Two Principles of Justice
The Second Principle︰
• social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they
are both:
• 2a) To the greatest benefit of the least advantaged, consistent with
the just savings principle (difference principle)
• 2b) Attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions
of fair equality of opportunity (principle of equal opportunity)

• First principle > second principle;

• principle of equal opportunity > difference principle
 Types of welfare regimes
(Esping-Andersen, 1990)
Type of welfare Liberal Conservative/ Social democratic Productivist
regime Corporatist
Values Work ethic stigma Rights according to class Equality, universalism of Social policy – Subordinate
and status high standards to economic policy
Instruments Means tested assistance Social insurance Universal benefits; high Mixed
levels of benefits
Welfare Market plays a greater -Highlight the roles of State’s role to ensure Premised on overriding
mix/Mixed role while the role of families and civil society universalism and full growth objectives
economy of state is minimized -State only intervenes participation
welfare when family’s capacity
exhausted
Social right / De- Low Medium High Minimal, extensions linked
commodification to productive activity
Social Inequality in the society Social class maintained Promotes equality of the Reinforcement of
stratification is notable but stabilized highest standards productive elements
Country example US Austria, France, Scandinavian countries East Asia
Germany, Italy
 Conservative/ Corporatist
Welfare regime

Family

Mixed economy of welfare

Liberal
Market State Social
Welfare regime Democratic
Welfare regime

Instruments Mean-tested Social insurance Universal benefits

Degree of direct Little Moderate & indirect Much & direct

state interference
Level of de-
Low Medium High
commodification
Inequality in the Social class maintained
Social stratification society is notable but stabilized Equality of the highest standards
 • Social order over liberty or equality
• Gradual change
Conservatism

Socialism Liberalism

Left Right
• State should play large • State should play minimal
role in welfare role in welfare (laissez-faire)
• Equity; universality; • Pro-market
fairness • Favours occupational and
• Favours statutory rather fiscal welfare
than occupational or • Voluntary and informal
fiscal welfare sectors
 Socialism - Social democracy Conservatism Liberalism
Human Cooperative and creative; being Imperfection in Human nature Individualism
nature capable of self-government Organic society, Hierarchy self-interest
Gradual change freedom
Economy Capitalism as a social and Support for the free market economy The free market;
economic system is inimical to Conservatives attack liberals’ The market can secure
human well-being. overemphasis on “economic success” individual and social
welfare and human liberty.
State Support state intervention; Use the state to compensate for market The state only plays a
Welfare state as a mechanism to failures; limited constitutional role
reduce inequalities The welfare state is a mechanism for
creating stability in the system
Social Equality Higher priority to social order than to Equality is incompatible
values freedom and equality are individual freedom; with freedom; Inequality
compatible inequality can ensure the social preserves individual
stability of society; upholds moral freedom;
values
 Input Institutional Output Outcome
(value) arrangement
Ideology Social sectors Social policy （Redistribution domain）
Goals (informal and Social welfare： Social welfare
voluntary) education Managing social problems
Family、friends、employment Meeting social needs
community、 Health care Enhancing social mobility
charitable Housing Social equality
organizations Social security Social resources
Economic sector Fiscal welfare Social relations：status and
Markets Occupational power
Political sector welfare （economic production domain）
State Social policy and economic
Government production
Positive
Negative
? 17
Social Development Practice and
Models of Social Intervention
Evolution of changing welfare paradigms
• Unmet Social needs
• Rising inequalities
• In‐work poverty
• persisting unemployment
• New risk
• Ageing population
• Increased economic competition arising from globalization
• Intense budgetary constraints
• a lack of adequate social services
• a lack of skills to fill today’s jobs and to create the jobs of tomorrow

• A new social policy strategy can address these issues altogether Morel et al (2011)
Social Development (Midgley, 1997)
• Social development offers an alternative perspective on redistribution
that emphasizes resource allocations to social programs that are
productivist and investment-oriented and that enhance economic
participation and make a positive contribution to development.
• The social development perspective insists on the integration of
economic and social policy and gives expression to two axioms:
• a) it requires that economic development should be inclusive, integrated and
sustainable and bring benefits to all;
• b) it proposes that social welfare should be investment-oriented, seeking to
enhance human capacities to participate in the productive economy
• The approach would emphasize personal responsibility, the
involvement of non-profit organizations, and the full utilization of
the market and state intervention
Social Development Practice I

• Social development is “a process of planned social change designed to

promote the wellbeing of the population as a whole within the context of a
dynamic multifaceted development process” (Midgley, 2014, p.13)

• Social development practice and interventions derive from our chosen

developmental approach (ideas, principles, theories)

• These ideas and principles directly inform practice

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Social development practice II
• Social Development is a progressive process
I. An identified social condition that needs to be changed
II. A process of change
III.An end state where goals are realized

• Social Development is a multifaceted process

I. Economic, social, political, cultural, environmental, gender and other dimensions
II. Social interventions are linked to social investments that promote wellbeing (including economic development

• Social Development Practice is interventionist in nature

i. it seeks to change something using deliberate efforts
ii. Includes projects, programmes, policies, plans (e.g. community development, microenterprises, asset-building
projects)….

(Midgley, 2014)

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Social development practice III
5. Social development process is productivist –
i. it contributes positively to economic development (e.g. social investment to education
 generate higher rates of return to community via skills/ knowledge/ competitive
advantage)

6. Universalistic in nature
i. Not only concerned with the most vulnerable population—it seeks wider participation
from citizens, INCLUDING those who are most vulnerable

7. Committed to promoting people’s social wellbeing

(Midgley, 2014)

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Social development practice IV
• Interventions at different levels: individuals, households, community, regional, and national
levels

• Comprises different practice strategies: projects, programmes, policies, plans (e.g.

community development, microenterprises, asset-building projects)

• Quantifiable goals
• Predetermined time-scale
• Identified outcomes (e.g. policy goals, project goals, etc.)

• Tangible investments must be made available to people (e.g. technical assistance , support,
training and financial resources)

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Two competing models
• Cash-based

• Asset-based
Logic model
Key notions of social investment in changing
social welfare
Developing Individual and Community Assets
Enhancing Human Capital Investments
Facilitating Economic Participation through Productive
Employment and Self-Employment
Promoting Social Capital Formation
• Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) 社區投資共享基金
…………………….

Midgley (1999). Social Service Review

Examples
• Three “capital” investment
• Human capital, Social capital and financial capital
Human capital investment
 Definition
 Human capital is usually associated with the acquisition of skills and knowledge through education
and particularly through formal education,
 but it also includes other human capabilities, such as nutritional and health status, creativity and
leadership

 Definitions are important as they direct the interventions from the governments and other sectors

Human capital investment and social development

The right to education
Productivity
 What are active labor market programs
(ALMPs)?
• Government programs that intervene in the labor market to help reduce
the risk of unemployment and to increase workers' earnings capacity,
requiring actions from the beneficiary aimed at increasing job search,
employability, actual employment, or productivity.
• As opposed to passive labor market programs, like unemployment benefits

• Such programs work by enhancing labor supply (e.g. through training);

increasing labor demand (e.g. through public works or subsidies); and
improving the functioning of the labor market (e.g. through employment
services).
 There are different constraints to productive employment

Economic cycle Inadequate skills

SUPPLY of
Demand Conflict and violence Household income

work
for work
Constraints to
business and job
Employment and Incentives and social and
creation labor productivity cognitive biases

Lack of information about

Employers lack information
returns on education and jobs; job
about workers
search costs, etc

Source: adapted from Solutions for Youth Employment (World Bank, 2015)
 Supply side factors, more in detail

• Education / credentials
• Basic cognitive skills
(literacy, etc)
Employability
• Job-specific skills
barriers
• Behavioral skills

Lack of
Information Participation
or constraints
Incentives
• Information deficits on
• Care-taking duties
opportunities, returns,
• Lack of empowerment
• Effect of taxes and cash
• Distance from labor
benefit on returns from
markets
working
6
Example: Active labour market policies (ALMP)
Public spending on active labour market policies as a share of
GDP
Example: Early Education and Care
• Early Education and Care has
multidimensional short and long-term
benefits

• 1. Improving early education can help more

children get ahead, increase their human
capital, and boost social mobility

Source: https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/starting-strong-2017_9789264276116-en#page32
Example: Early Education and Care
• Early Education and Care has
multidimensional short and
long-term benefits

• 2. Facilitating Economic
Participation among women

Source: https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/starting-strong-2017_9789264276116-en#page32
https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/data/datasets/family-database/pf3_1_public_spending_on_childcare_and_early_education.pdf
Social capital investment
• Social capital has been described as the “glue” that develops
between people in groups and societies by sharing experiences,
ideas, ideals, beliefs and practices.
• According to Coleman (1990:302), social capital is dependent on
the social structures that exist between people, which make it
possible for those involved to take certain actions and to be able
to get things done that they would not have been able to do on
their own.
Social capital investment
• Types

• Structural vs
cognitive
Social capital and
anti-poverty

https://documents1.worl
dbank.org/curated/en/96
1231468336675195/pdf/7
66490JRN0WBRO00Box3
74385B00PUBLIC0.pdf
 Overall, Western Europe has a higher intensity of both types of social capital than Eastern
Europe. Nordic countries also show high levels of bridging social capital. Important within-
country differences are detected in both bonding and bridging in many countries.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0308518X211000059
Social capital and economic growth
Example:
Timebank as a tool to develop social
captial
 A Timebank is a form of community currency
o Time banks reward volunteering by paying one hour for each hour of
commitment, which can at any time be 'cashed in' by requesting an hour of
work in return from the system
 Timebanks operate to facilitate exchanges that honor five core values
o Assets – every human being has something to contribute;
o Redefining work – rewarding the real work in our society by creating a
currency that pays people for helping each other and creating better places
to live;
o Reciprocity – giving and receiving are basic human needs that help to
build relationships and trust with others;
o Social Networks – building people's social capital is very important,
belonging to a social network gives our lives more meaning; and
o Respect – encouraging people to respect others in their community. (Illustration by Mike McQuade) Source:
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_time_bank_sol
ution
46
Microenterprise, Microfinance and
Social Development
• Microenterprises are small businesses operated by poor
people but unlike other small businesses,
• they are supported by sponsoring organisations such as the
Grameen Bank, faith-based and non-governmental
organisations, cooperatives and government agencies which
provide technical advice and loans for start-ups, often at
preferential interest rates.
Microenterprise, Microfinance and
Social Development

https://www.garyfox.co/patterns/microfinance/
Key components of microfinance programs
• Microloans (Microcredit)

• Microsavings

• Micro-insurance