Values in Social Policy: Nine Contradictions

First published in 1981, Values in Social Policy provides a means towards understanding the conflicts, contradictions and uncertainties involved in working in a welfare state. In the nine chapters, Jean Hardy explores the conflicting values posed within nine contradictions: authority versus liberation, for example, or the personal versus the political, equality versus freedom, bureaucracy versus professionalism. The author demonstrates how values can be contrasted with their supposed opposites; she traces the roots of the different values and, in so doing, sets out a clear and original account of the issues involved when choices have to be made and decision taken. This book will be of interest to students of sociology, social policy, and economics.