Full Description
The politics of austerity has seen governments across Europe cut back on welfare provision. Bringing together scholars and practitioners, this book explores secular and faith-based grassroots social action in Germany and UK that has evolved in response. The book provides new ways of thinking about social and political belonging and about the relations between individual, collective and State social responsibility.
Contents
Introduction: social activism, belonging and citizenship in a period of crisis ‾ Shana Cohen and Jan-Jonathan Bock
Part I: The social consequences of welfare policy
Fulfilling basic human needs: the welfare state after Beveridge ‾ Patrick Diamond
Social division and resentment in the aftermath of the economic slump ‾ Gabriella Elgenius;
Part II: The practice of social good
Austerity and social welfare in the UK: a perspective from the advice sector ‾ Amardeep Bansil
Breaking the hold of debt: Cambridge Money Advice Centre ‾ John Morris
Community finance: the emergence of credit unions in London ‾ Paul A Jones and Michelle Howlin
Finding employment and living a good life in London ‾ Chris Price
The Tafel and food poverty in Germany ‾ Sabine Werth
Addressing food poverty in the UK ‾ Sarah Greenwood
Helping the homeless: a soup kitchen in London ‾ Martin Stone
Part III: Social change and neoliberalism
Social initiatives and social solidarity under austerity ‾ Christina Fuhr
The new economy of poverty ‾ Stefan Selke
Challenges for the struggle against austerity in Britain and Europe ‾ Thomas Jeffrey Miley
Part IV: Situating solidarity in perspective
Individualism and community in historical perspective ‾ Jon Lawrence
Aiming for reconnection: responsible citizenship ‾ Christopher Baker
Conclusion: citizenship, community and solidarity at the end of the welfare state ‾ Jan-Jonathan Bock and Shana Cohen