Freedom and the Welfare State Routledge Library Editions: Welfare and the State Series

Originally published in 1976, Freedom and the Welfare State, critiques the Welfare State in Britain and analyses the relationship between freedom and welfare. The book considers philosophical, literary and political expressions of the ideals of liberty, and relates them to present-day issues in social policy and the social services. It tackles the major questions emerging in the current welfare debate such as, does state assistance destroy individual initiative and independence and, are welfare institutions agencies of social control which reinforce the dominant economic order?

Acknowledgements 1. Three Traditions Part I: Freedom 2. Liberty and Liberation 3. The True Nature of ‘the Social Being’ 4. ‘Alternative Realities’ 5. Freedom and Social Control 6. ‘Perfect Respectfulness’ and ‘Painful Nearness’ 7. The Ethics of Intervention Part II: Intervention 8. Flattery and Dumb Service 9. The Origins of Social Engineering 10. Two Concepts of Welfare 11. Punishment, Treatment and Control 12. Citizenship and Social Work Part III: A Welfare Society 13. Family – Support or Suppression? 14. Work: An Essential Characteristic of Man? 15. ‘A Decent and Secure Life’ Notes