A THEORY OF POVERTY AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION

Book Details

• Author: Bill Jordan

• Binding: Hardcover

• Number of Pages: 284

• Publication Year: 2015

• ISBN: 9788131606858

• Sale Territory: India Only

About the Book

"A Theory of Poverty and Social Exclusion" by Bill Jordan offers a groundbreaking analysis of the link between the decline in living standards of the poorest members of society and the rise of free-market ideologies. Jordan fills a critical gap in social scientific theory by examining poverty and social exclusion in the context of collective action within exclusive groups. Drawing upon public choice theory, the book explores the dynamics of collective action, ranging from small units like households and clubs to broader systems such as communities and politics. Jordan’s theory reveals how the strategies of individuals and groups influence collective outcomes and drive social exclusion.

While rooted in an economic framework, the book also integrates historical and comparative perspectives, particularly focusing on the feminization of poverty and the racialization of social exclusion. By critically analyzing the current theories of community and social citizenship, Jordan critiques the mainstream views on globalization, social policy, and welfare. He argues that economic globalization, alongside the actions of the majority in developed nations, has exacerbated the vulnerability of the poor, leading to resistance actions that increase social costs. Moreover, the book delves into the implications of growing antagonisms between exclusive groups, which threaten democratic values.

Key Themes and Content:

1. Introduction: The Great Exclusion?
   An overview of the relationship between poverty, social exclusion, and political ideologies.

2. Interdependency and Collective Action
   Discusses the role of interdependence and collective action in shaping social outcomes.

3. Missing Links
   Explores the missing connections between the resurgence of free-market utopianism and the rising levels of poverty.

4. Globalization and the Fragmentation of Welfare States
   Examines how globalization has fragmented welfare states and intensified social exclusion.

5. Community, Polarization, and Social Exclusion
   Analyzes the role of community in social exclusion and how polarization affects marginalized groups.

6. The Politics of Enforcement
   Looks into the political dynamics and enforcement mechanisms that sustain social exclusion.

7. Conclusions: States and Social Policy
   Concludes with reflections on the role of the state and social policies in combating exclusion.

About the Author

Bill Jordan is a prominent European Professor of Social Policy at Univerzita Komenskeho, Slovakia, and has taught at Exeter and Huddersfield Universities. His extensive research spans across social policy, sociology, politics, and economics, with a focus on poverty, social exclusion, and the impact of globalization on welfare systems. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and policymakers engaged in understanding the intersections of economic policies and social inequality.