Social Policy Within The Global Economy - 1935 Words

When discussing social policy within the current global economy, it’s quite impossible to ignore the effects of globalisation on nation states but also in the overall global economy in relation to poverty, environmental changes, trade, culture etc. Globalisation is a highly contested term due to its broad definition which causes confusion as to what it actually means (Gills, 2002; Higgot, 1999). Yeates (2002) refers to globalisation as the loosening of boundaries of things such as trade, labour and migration and further goes on to speak of ‘strong’ globalisation to indicate the intensity and inevitable nature especially in relation to the constraints globalisation poses on national governments and the policy making process. Events such as†¦show more content†¦There will also be a heavy focus on transnational corporations as they are seen as one of the most important actors in shaping social policy. It is important to remember that globalisation in not on ly about economic effects but it can also be discussed in relation to political globalisation and how political decisions have shifted due to upwards to the European Union and beyond also cultural globalisation that has seen the ‘Mcdonalization’ of traditional culture into the international culture of consumerism (Ritzer,1993). Ginsburg (2001) looked as social policy within Ireland and the UK and argues that changes that have occurred within the nation state have been due to neo-liberal hegemony. During the 1980’s under the Margaret Thatcher administration there was an adaptation of neo-liberalism as restraints were put on social expenditure, taxation of individuals and corporations and there was an increase in the flexibility of labour markets as the markets are seen as wealth creating mechanisms (Ginsburg, 2001; Cerny and Evans, 2004). The intensification of neo-liberal globalisation has left governments trying to find a balance between competing with demands of economic globalisation whilst also considering the possible economic and