Transnational Social Policy

This collection of rich, diverse, case studies addresses the complex relationship between social policies, mobile populations and knowledge production in transnational spaces. It underscores the importance of a translation lens for the understanding of these processes theoretically, politically and ethically. It is an important addition to the literature on global and transnational social welfare, of great interest to social policy and social work scholars, researchers, and students. Paul Stubbs, Senior Research Fellow, The Institute of Economics, Zagreb. This volume brings together a set of timely chapters covering developments in numerous countries that will be a welcome addition to social policy literature. It speaks forcefully to the ways in which social policy is being radically transformed in the context of globalization and neoliberalism. The examination of largely neglected immigrant/migrant populations in the volume is a particularly valuable and insightful contribution to social policy scholarship. John Shields, Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration, Ryerson, Canada. In this path-breaking volume, Good Gingrich and Koengeter assemble a wide-ranging array of rich case studies to argue for a transnational perspective on social policy and social work. They claim convincingly that we can no longer ignore the impact of the transnational movements of people, ideas and resources on economies and welfare systems and on the dynamics of social exclusion and inclusion across the world. This is an essential eye-opener for anyone seeking to understand contemporary social policy and social work. Prof. John Gal, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This book contributes important new insights into the consequences of globalization and transnationalism for both social policy and social work. The book could not be more timely in light of dramatic social, political and economic changes resulting from massively increased mobility among large portions of the human population. The individual authors shine valuable light on the translation into practice of social work ideas, on transnational forms of social exclusion, and on challenges for social work and social policy in a complex world. This excellent compilation of contributions is drawn together by the editors into a unified, powerful package that directly confronts one of the major challenges for social welfare in the 21st century. Ernie Lightman This is an important and timely book. Going beyond national and comparative studies, it adopts a transnational approach to social policy and welfare services that helps to explain social work dynamics in the context of neoliberal globalization, privatization of public services and transnationalization of everyday life. Koengeter and Good Gingrich must be congratulated for assembling such an impressive array of leading experts on welfare policies. The volume brings to the forefront issues of social exclusion but also the potential to nurture solidarity, address social injustice, enhance social protection and promote the wellbeing of humans across national boundaries. Daniel Schugurensky, Arizona State University, USA