Toward a Biopsychosocial Welfare State?: How Medicine and Psychology Transform Social Policy

This book examines the impact of medicine and psychology on Western welfare states, highlighting the medicalisation and psychologisation of social policies. It offers insights for sociology, political sociology, social and health policy, medicine, psychology, and public health.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Medicine and psychology have a significant but often overlooked impact on Western welfare states, and this open access book explores this influence in detail. Based on mixed-methods analyses conducted in Germany, the book examines how the turn to neoliberalism and social investment thinking has led to the medicalization and psychologization of social policies, with important implications for students and scholars of sociology of health and illness, political sociology, social and health policy, medicine, psychology, and public health.

The book begins by examining the historical roots of the medicalization and psychologization of social policies, tracing their development from the early 20th century to the present day. It highlights how the rise of neoliberalism and the associated emphasis on market-based solutions has led to a shift in the focus of social policies from addressing social inequalities to managing risk and promoting individual responsibility. This shift has been accompanied by a growing emphasis on the role of medicine and psychology in shaping social policy, with the development of new technologies, treatments, and interventions aimed at improving health and well-being.

One of the key themes of the book is the impact of the medicalization and psychologization of social policies on unemployment, poverty, and childhood. The authors argue that these policies have been used to justify the exclusion of certain groups from the labor market, to reduce social welfare benefits, and to promote a culture of individualism and self-responsibility. They highlight the negative consequences of these policies, including increased poverty, social exclusion, and mental health problems.

The book also explores the ways in which medicine and psychology have been used to promote social justice and equality. It highlights the role of social work, community development, and advocacy in challenging the medicalization and psychologization of social policies and promoting more inclusive and equitable solutions. The authors argue that these approaches can be more effective in addressing social inequalities than traditional medical and psychological interventions.

In addition to its theoretical analysis, the book also provides a range of case studies and examples to illustrate the impact of the medicalization and psychologization of social policies. These case studies include the development of the welfare state in Germany, the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in the United States, and the treatment of mental health disorders in the UK. The authors use these case studies to demonstrate how the medicalization and psychologization of social policies can have different effects in different contexts and how they can be challenged and transformed.

One of the challenges facing the medicalization and psychologization of social policies is the need to address the underlying social and economic inequalities that contribute to these problems. The authors argue that this requires a more comprehensive and holistic approach to social policy, which includes addressing the root causes of social inequalities, such as poverty, discrimination, and social exclusion. They also highlight the importance of promoting social and economic justice and equality, which can be achieved through policies such as universal healthcare, social welfare benefits, and labor market regulation.

Another challenge facing the medicalization and psychologization of social policies is the potential for harm to individuals. The authors argue that the use of medical and psychological interventions can be harmful if they are not used in a responsible and ethical manner. They highlight the need for greater regulation and oversight of these interventions, as well as the need for more training and education for healthcare professionals and psychologists.

In conclusion, this open access book provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the impact of medicine and psychology on Western welfare states. It highlights the ways in which these disciplines have been used to justify the exclusion of certain groups from the labor market, reduce social welfare benefits, and promote a culture of individualism and self-responsibility. It also provides a range of case studies and examples to illustrate the impact of the medicalization and psychologization of social policies and highlights the need for a more comprehensive and holistic approach to social policy that addresses the underlying social and economic inequalities that contribute to these problems.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 148 x 210 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031327957
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023