Welfare and Social Policy in Britain Since 1870: Essays in Honour of Jose Harris

This collection of essays reviews the history of welfare in Britain over the past 150 years, focusing on the ideas that have shaped the development of British social policy and the thinkers who have inspired and contested the welfare state. It divides into four sections: the transition from laissez-faire to social liberalism, the concept of planning, the intellectual debate over the welfare state, and social policy and its implementation more recently. It is a tribute to Jose Harris, emeritus professor of history in the University of Oxford and a pioneer of the intellectual history of social policy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 12 February 2019
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This comprehensive collection of twelve essays delves into the rich history of welfare in Britain over the past 150 years. It explores the fundamental ideas that have shaped the development of British social policy, while also paying tribute to the influential thinkers who have both inspired and challenged the welfare state. By tracing the intellectual evolution of British welfare since its emergence at the end of the nineteenth century, the essays divide into four distinct sections.

The first section examines the transition from laissez-faire to social liberalism in the 1870s, highlighting the enduring influence of late-Victorian philosophical idealism on the formation of the welfare state. It focuses on the moral philosophy of T. H. Green and his profound impact on key figures in British social policy, such as William Beveridge, R. H. Tawney, and William Temple.

The second section delves into the concept of planning, which once held a central position in social policy and its implementation. However, it has subsequently lost favor, as debates surrounding its effectiveness and efficiency have emerged. The third section examines the intellectual discourse surrounding the welfare state since its inception in the 1940s. While a consensus seemed to have formed during the Second World War regarding the desirability and scope of a welfare state that extended from cradle to grave, libertarian and conservative critiques persisted and re-emerged a generation later.

The final section explores social policy and its implementation in both grassroots and systemic contexts. It conducts a study of community action in West London, particularly in the districts affected by the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in 2017. This section also highlights the coexistence of different models of welfare provision in contemporary Britain, where tensions and challenges arise between traditional welfare systems and emerging alternatives.

This collection serves as a tribute to Jose Harris, an esteemed emeritus professor of history at the University of Oxford, whose pioneering work in the field of social policy history has left an indelible mark on the academic landscape. Through his insightful essays and extensive research, Harris has contributed significantly to our understanding of the evolution of British welfare and its impact on society.

In conclusion, this collection of essays offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the history of welfare in Britain over the past 150 years. It sheds light on the ideas that have shaped the development of social policy, the thinkers who have influenced it, and the challenges and controversies that have accompanied its evolution. By examining the past and present, this collection provides valuable insights into the ongoing debates and discussions surrounding welfare and its role in shaping a more equitable and compassionate society.

Weight: 536g
Dimension: 238 x 163 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198833048