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Social Development
The Developmental Perspective in Social Welfare



208 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
"This is an excellent and exciting book which makes a compelling case for social development. It more than succeeds in its objective of providing a comprehensive overview of the field of social development. Midgley has provided a wide-ranging and masterly synthesis of a diverse range of ideas and strategies and argued expertly for the advantages offered by social development. It is a book that deserves to be read by all who are interested in development studies, social policy, and social work. It will be of value both to academics and practitioners who will find it both interesting and stimulating." --International Social Work "James Midgley has produced a comprehensive and much-needed account of the theory and practice of social development. His many years of experience in the social development field . . . offers an integrated discussion that cuts across the international divide." --Anthony Hall, London School of Economics and Political Science "Among those committed to social development, none is better equipped than James Midgley to provide us with the first introductory text on the subject. Bringing his considerable scholarship to bear on social development issues, he presents a unique and knowledgeable perspective." --Caryl Abrahams, University of Calgary At a time when social welfare is undergoing structural economic change, this text puts the important emerging field of social development into the hands of the student. Inspired by the conceptual insights of contemporary political economy, social development offers a macro view of social needs and social problems. The first undergraduate textbook of its kind, Social Development provides a complete introduction to the field, providing the student with discussion of comprehensive strategies for social development as well as definitions, history, and theory. For undergraduate students in social policy and social administration, as well as those in social work, development studies, and public administration, this textbook cultivates a clear understanding of social development, now an area with especially timely applications.
 
Introduction
 
A Definition of Social Development
 
The Historical Context
 
Theoretical Debates
 
Strategies for Social Development
 
Achieving Social Development
The Institutional Perspective

 

`This is an excellent and exciting book which makes a compelling case for social development. It more than succeeds in its objective of providing a comprehensive overview of the field of social development. Midgley has provided a wide-ranging and masterly synthesis of a diverse range of ideas and strategies and argued expertly for the advantages offered by social development. It is a book which deserves to be read by all who are interested in development studies, social policy and social work. It will be of value both to academics and practitioners who will find it both interesting and stimulating' - International Social Work

`Midgley's new book is a timely addition to social work literature in South Africa when the role of social work in reconstruction and development is being widely discussed and debated. Midgley's message is simple and clear: there can be no social development without economic development.... Midgley provides a comprehensive discussion of theoretical debates surrounding social development.... [a] valuable addition to our social work literature' - Social Work

`Systematic and thorough.... This book can be recommended for university Development Studies teaching' - Development Policy Review

`Indeed, an ideal textbook for students of social policy, social work and public administration as the cover notes argue, but is also a considered theoretical contribution to the debate..... Midgley's practical experience [shows] and the analysis is grounded and exudes common sense.... It tries to be even-handed and is certainly comprehensive. Midgley is probably more aware of Third World approaches than many mainstream Western writers' - Third World Planning Review

`[A] very solid treatise on social development.... It is a very tight package filled with fundamental information and written very well.... Midgley... has constructed an excellent book that will serve to enhance the dialogue and debate of this important perspective. Midgley's book, in less than 200 pages and encompassing an introduction and five chapters, manages to take his reader through what I think is an impressive, comprehensive overview of the social development perspective.... All of this is followed by a very extensive reference section that in itself is an added bonus.... Midgley's book is a significant edition in the social development literature, both for what it manages to bring together in a concise volume as well as for its readability... and one that brings a vital perspective to our current times' - Social Development Issues

James O. Midgley

James Midgley is the Harry and Riva Specht Professor of Public Social Services and Dean Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. Originally from South Africa, he studied at the University of Cape Town and the London School of Economics and held academic appointments at both universities before moving to the United States 1985 where he served as as Dean of the School of Social Work and Associate Vice Chancellor for Research at Louisiana State University. He accepted the appointment as Specht Professor and Dean of the School of Social Welfare Berkeley in 1997.He has published widely on issues of social development, social policy,... More About Author

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