Michael Orton

Flourishing lives: the capabilities approach as a framework for new thinking about employment, work and welfare in the 21st century

Even before the onset of economic downturn in 2008–9, UK policy on employment, work and welfare had reached an impasse, with little evidence of new ideas, either in relation to the final years of New Labour or the Coalition Government, as to how to tackle deeply entrenched problems beyond adherence to neo-liberalism. This article explores whether a capabilities approach, as originally developed in the work of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, offers a potential framework for new thinking. It is argued that the capabilities approach is best thought of not as offering a detailed road map for policy, but as providing a critically different conceptualization of the purpose and principles of public policy. In seeking an alternative to neo-liberal hegemony a capabilities approach therefore can provide a framework for new thinking, and an underpinning ideological narrative from which policy development can flow.

Activation policies and organisational innovation : the added value of the capability approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief introduction to activation policies, then discuss the capability approach, in particular highlighting a number of key concepts relevant to the analysis of active labour market policies. The second section presents the articles in this special issue, which address organisational innovation in activation policies and cover: six European countries (including Scandinavia and East and West Europe); an historical perspective; and policies aimed at the general workless population along with those targeted at specific groups e.g. disabled people. The final section emphasises three important teachings from this special issue. This paper introduces the special issue on the theme of activation policies and organisational innovation in the capability perspective.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a normative and analytical framework. Its relevance for empirical fieldwork is then illustrated through a synthesis of the case studies presented in the...

A Problem of Riches: Towards a new Social Policy Research Agenda on the Distribution of Economic Resources

The distribution of economic resources in society is a central concern for social policy. But research in this area has primarily concentrated on the bottom of the economic distribution, namely ‘the poor’. In this article, we argue that it is time for social policy to move away from a narrow focus on poverty to consider the broader issue of inequality between different groups in the economic distribution and, by implication, the position of better-off citizens. This raises a number of conceptual challenges due to the current lack of consideration of wealth and inequality at a political, theoretical or empirical level. The article discusses the challenges and concludes by outlining a possible research agenda. However, the underpinning argument is that social policy needs to develop a broader understanding of the economic distribution.

The integration of activation policy at sub‐national level: A case study of the City Strategy initiative in an English sub‐region

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to engage with the theme of activation policies and organisational innovation in the capability perspective, from the viewpoint of active labour market policies in the UK.Design/methodology/approach – The focus of the article is the City Strategy initiative in Great Britain, which encourages institutions to work together to develop solutions to concentrations of worklessness. The article presents findings from a case study of the introduction of the City Strategy in one English sub‐region: Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country. The empirical investigation is based on analysis of documentary evidence including strategy papers and “grey literature” such as minutes of meetings and internal briefings. In addition, the case study draws on in‐depth qualitative interviews conducted with 18 local actors involved in the City Strategy.Findings – The empirical investigation provides selected evidence of successful public action undertaken through the City Strategy. It disc...

Irresponsible citizens? New Labour, citizenship and the case of non-payment of local taxation

This article engages with the debate about citizenship and responsibility by drawing on the experience of citizens whose voice is rarely heard in that debate. The article draws on a study of a specific citizenship obligation, the payment of local taxation, and in particular interviews with people who had failed to pay local tax - a group who could potentially be characterized as ‘irresponsible citizens’. From the perspective of these citizens the experience of paying local tax raises issues not about a deficit of responsibility but insecurity and the struggle to make ends meet. The examination of local tax and citizenship also raises issues about what will be described as the unequal distribution of obligation under New Labour. The article concludes by arguing that what is highlighted is the need for consideration of responsibility in relation not just to poor citizens but to all citizens, and in particular those with higher incomes.

Redressing gender inequality in employment: the national and sub-regional policy ‘fit’

This article examines the ‘fit’ between policy development regarding gender inequality in employment at sub-regional and national (UK) level, in particular focusing on the experience of women. Drawing on research undertaken in Coventry and Warwickshire, the article explores the question of how policy development at sub-regional level fits with national policy, and whether the sub-region is an appropriate, or effective, level at which to develop policy on gender inequality in employment. It is argued that while there needs to be recognition of the limited ability of sub-regional policy to confront structural issues, policy development at this level does offer potential strengths in redressing both gender inequality in employment and the relative lack of a gender dimension in local economic development.

Inequality and the reform of a regressive local tax: the debate in the UK

The concern of this article is with the current debate about the reform of local taxation in the UK. In particular, the article examines the consideration given to issues of equity in the policy debate that has taken place through the governments ‘Balance of Funding Review’. It is argued that while the outcome of the reform process remains to be seen, the current debate indicates that decisions regarding local tax will serve as an illuminating example of the extent, and limits, of New Labour policy on tax and inequality more generally.

Comparing Foreclosure Counseling Policies in the US and UK

Abstract This article reviews recent developments in the US and UK in response to rising foreclosures, with an emphasis on the provision of advice or counseling to borrowers in mortgage default. Both nations have increased support for counseling programs despite the lack of evidence that counseling is effective. Based on a quantitative study in the US and a qualitative study in the UK, this article provides preliminary evidence that counseling strategies may be justified. However, the findings from both studies should be approached conservatively. This article also highlights the need for a range of outcome measures for assessing the impact of debt counseling. These studies shed greater light on the ways in which counseling might be beneficial beyond loan cures. Contextual differences between the two countries are identified, and common themes in their policy responses are noted. This article suggests that further insights may be developed through stronger comparative approaches in the analysis of foreclosure prevention policies.

New Labour ambiguity, or Neo-liberal consistency? The debate about racial inequality in employment and the use of contract compliance

Many historical studies, some of them comparative, have explored the foundations of welfare states and the birth of unemployment policies in Europe in the late nineteenth century. Nearly all have focused on political debate at national level. This paper bases its analysis on labour market reforms initiated in Strasbourg and Liverpool in the decades preceding World War I. It explores how bona fide unemployed workers, the proper clients of official help, were distinguished from the mass of the poor and indigent. The labour market had to be defined and organized before policies for the unemployed could be put in place. The object is to demonstrate not only how this was done, but also how different perceptions of social justice and economic efficiency influenced both the process and the outcomes of public interventions, in this instance undermining attempts to transfer specific policies from one country to another.

Locally grounded principles for a Good Society

There is a revival of interest in the notion of a Good Society, within the context of the search for an alternative to neoliberal hegemony, but the concept remains imprecise. One way to provide greater clarity is to focus on underpinning principles. Attempts to date have largely taken a top-down approach. This article provides a new perspective by considering principles that should underpin a Good Society from a local, grounded perspective. It draws on research with people on low incomes from Black and Minority Ethnic groups, whose voice is rarely heard in debate. Findings include differences with more top-down approaches but also points of resonance. It is argued that developing a more robust construct of a Good Society with potential for broad appeal, requires linking principles to the realities of the lives of marginalised and disadvantaged groups, and with process a key consideration.