Reclaiming Individualism: Perspectives on Public Policy

ISBN-13: 9781447309086 / Angielski / Twarda / 2013 / 208 str.

Paul Spicker

Opis

Reclaiming Individualism reviews the scope of individualist approaches to public policy, considering how they shape contemporary policy practices. It argues for a concept of individualism based on rights, human dignity, shared interests, and social protection, providing a thorough analysis and classification of individualism as applied to social and public policy. An important resource for those working or studying in these fields, it is a powerful restatement of some of the key values that led to the establishment of individualism as such a strong social force.

Spis treści

Introduction: Six impossible things before breakfast; Part 1: Individualism; Individualism; Individualism and collectivism; Part 2: The moral dimensions of individualism; Individual value and individual rights; Autonomy and self-determination; Personal responsibility; Possessive individualism; Individual welfare; Part 3: Methodological individualism and rational self-interest; Utility and choice; Self interest; Rationality; The Pareto principle; Part 4: Substantive policy; Choice and the market; More of the market: one solution for everything; Personalised services; The individualisation of social policy; Part 5: Individuals and collective action; Individual and social choices; Collective action; Solidarity and voluntary collective action; Public services; Part 6: Government and public policy; The individual versus the state; The role of government; The moral agenda; Social policy and the individual.