This book presents a socio-legal examination of national and devolved-level developments in social protection in the UK, through the eyes of politicians and officials at the heart of this process.
Since its inception in 1998, devolution has altered the character of the UK welfare state, with dramatic change in the 10 years since 2010. A decade of austerity at national level has exposed diverging view in how governments in London, Edinburgh and Belfast view the social rights of citizenship. This political divide has implications for both social security law, as the devolved countries begin to flex their muscles in this key area for citizens’ economic welfare, and the constitutional settlement.
The book reflects on the impact of austerity, the referendum on Scottish independence and subsequent changes to the devolution settlement, Northern Ireland’s hesitant moves away from parity with Westminster in social protection, withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit), and the possible retreat from austerity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The social union may or may not be weakening; its character is unquestionably changing, and the book lays bare the ideological and pragmatic considerations driving legal developments. TH Marshall’s theory of citizenship provides the lens through which these processes are viewed, while itself being reinterpreted in light of the national government’s increasing delegation of responsibility for social rights – whether to individuals, the voluntary sector or lower tiers of government.
By:
Mark Simpson (Ulster University UK)
Imprint: Hart Publishing
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
Spine: 25mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9781509946457
ISBN 10: 1509946454
Pages: 316
Publication Date: 28 December 2023
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
1. Introduction: Social Citizenship in an Age of Welfare Regionalism Introduction Social Citizenship Social Security and Multi-level Governance The Social Union and Welfare Regionalism Enter Coronavirus A Socio-legal Study of Social Citizenship Structure of the Book 2. A Socio-legal Perspective on Social Citizenship Introduction Marshall’s Theory of Citizenship: From Civil Rights to a ‘Right to Welfare’ Sources of Rights: Why Citizenship? On the Nature and Enforceability of Social Rights Conclusion 3. Social Citizenship and Multi-level Governance Introduction Social Citizenship and Multi-level Governance The Welfare State in the UK’s Devolution Settlement Towards Devolved Approaches to Social Security Conclusion 4. Twenty-first-century Welfare and the UK Model of Social Citizenship Introduction The Legislative Development of the Twenty-first-century Welfare State Implications for Social Citizenship Social Citizenship in a Pandemic Conclusion 5. Constructing Devolved Social Citizenships: Divergence from the UK Model of Social Security Introduction A Devolved-level Vision for Social Citizenship? Developing Social Security Policy and Systems Divergence in Devolved Social Security Benefits Administration, Service Delivery and Culture Conclusion 6. Rights and ‘Fairness’ in UK and Devolved Social Citizenships Introduction Human Rights and UK Social Security Human Rights in Devolved Social Security Fairness – To Whom? Conclusion 7. The Foundations of Devolved Social Citizenships Introduction Socio-economic Factors Ideological Factors Institutional Factors Conclusion 8. Social Citizenship and the Constitutional Future of the UK: Welfare Unionism, Nationalism and Regionalism Introduction Which Nation? National Identity as Ideological Identity Welfare Unionism, Nationalism and Regionalism An ‘Enduring Settlement’ Achieved? Conclusion 9. Towards Devolved Social Citizenships: How Far Have We Come and Where Are We Going? Introduction Scotland: From Principles to Practice Northern Ireland: Commitment to Parity Wanes, the Practice of Parity Remains Forces for Parity Policy Learning between Northern Ireland and Scotland Conclusion 10. Conclusion: The State of the Social Union Introduction Trajectories in Social Citizenship(s) A Vision for Social Citizenship – Or Visions for Social Citizenships? Still a UK Social Security System? The Social Union and the Political Union Marshall’s Theory of Citizenship in a Regionalised Welfare State Reflections
Mark Simpson is Lecturer in Law at Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry, UK.
Reviews for Social Citizenship in an Age of Welfare Regionalism: The State of the Social Union
Whatever the outcome of current constitutional debates, the questions raised by devolution for social citizenship in general and social security in particular are likely to grow increasingly pertinent. This book provides a valuable signpost to the theoretical and policy issues it poses. -- Ruth Lister * Journal of Social Security Law * This is a path-breaking book that makes an important contribution to our understanding of recent developments in social security. * Journal of Law and Society *
