Social Citizenship in an Age of Welfare Regionalism: The State of the Social Union

by Mark Simpson

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781509946426
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	06/30/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Mark Simpson is Lecturer in Law at Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry, UK.
Mark Simpson is Lecturer in Law at Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry (UK). His interdisciplinary research on social citizenship and devolution commenced in 2012 and has resulted in numerous publications in leading socio-legal, human rights law and social policy journals as well as awards from funders including the British Academy, Equality and Human Rights Commission and Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Mark is also a member of the Scottish Commission on Social Security, which provides independent, expert scrutiny of devolved social security legislation and delivery in Scotland.

Table of Contents

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

Editorial Reviews

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, Jourbanal of Social Security Law

“This is a path-breaking book that makes an important contribution to our understanding of recent developments in social security.” —Jourbanal of Law and Society

From the Publisher