Peillon, Michel, Welfare in Ireland; Actors. Resources, and Strategies

PEILLON, Michel, WELFARE IN IRELAND; Actors. Resources, and Strategies. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger, 2001, 193pp., $62.50 hardcover.Peillon's work represents a significant departure from the descriptive atheoretical case studies that dominated early social welfare inquiries. He responds to the clarion call to integrate theory and research. Theory, conceptual schema, historical accounts, and quantitative data are combined in this sociological analysis of Ireland's welfare institutions and practices. The result is a case study that has implications for further research on comparative issues. This comprehensive book is strengthened by Peillon's previous work on social welfare systems, some of which is included in the text.Pierre Bourdieu's notion of a social field and related concepts frame the analysis. Both the wider social contexts of social policy programs as well as the internal dynamics are emphasized. Peillon's three ambitious foci are to apply theory to provide understanding and explanation; to address comparative issues in the welfare studies literature; and, to outline the historical development and current characteristics of the Irish welfare system. Consequently, he avoids the common trap of using selective policy illustrations from different countries in a haphazard way to bolster a particular view. Peillon's account provides prospects for rigorous comparisons and the formulation of valid generalizations.Each focus is addressed in a separate section, although overlap occurs. A thorough introduction is followed by a groundwork description of the Irish welfare system and a summary of Bourdieu's concepts. Part One identifies the main players in the welfare field and their stakes. Part Two explores the dynamics within the system through strategies and practices. Highlighted are the forces associated with significant advances, the changing mix of major players over time and across programs, fitting the Irish system into Esping-Andersen's classification scheme, and the influence of Ireland's peripherality. The results are recapitulated in the conclusion and Peillon argues for a further exploration of capital conversion rates.Peillon's use of Bourdieu's field concent offers manv intriguing insights into the role of culture, traditions, and institutions in the development of the Irish welfare svstem. Different actors struggle to dominate and shape the welfare system for their own purposes. These struggles are at the heart of the book. The state. Catholic Church, trade unions, business federations, voluntary organizations including partnerships, and feminist movement are emphasized in explaining the evolution and characteristics of the welfare system

Economics · Market economy · Michel foucault · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Welfare · Irish and British Studies · Law · Research in Social Sciences · Social Policy and Reform Studies