School of Social and Political Sciences

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Social Investment after Neoliberalism: Policy Paradigms and Political Platforms

Deeming, C ; Smyth, P (CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS, 2015-04)

The concept of the 'social investment state' refocuses attention on the productive function of social policy eclipsed for some time by the emphasis on its social protection or compensation roles. Here we distinguish between different social investment strategies, the Nordic 'heavy' and the Liberal 'light', with particular reference to the inclusive growth approach adopted in Australia. In 2007, social democrats in Australia returned to government with a clear mandate to reject the labour market deregulation and other neoliberal policies of its predecessor, and to tackle entrenched social and economic disadvantage in Australian society. For the last five years, social investment and inclusive growth has been at the centre of the Australian social policy agenda. Against this background, the article examines and critically assesses the (re)turn to 'social investment' thinking in Australia during Labor's term in office (2007-13). Analysis focuses not just on what was actually achieved, but also on the constraining role of prevailing economic and political circumstances and on the processes that were used to drive social investment reform. In many ways, the article goes some way to exposing ongoing tensions surrounding the distinctiveness of 'social investment' strategies pursued by leftist parties within the (neo)liberal state.
Conclusion: towards a new global social policy framework?

Smyth, P ; Deeming, C ; Deeming, C ; Smyth, P (POLICY PRESS, 2018)
Introduction to the Review

Stavins, R ; Carraro, C ; Kolstad, C ; Deeming, C ; Smyth, P (University of Chicago Press, 2007-01-01)
Social Service Futures and the Productivity Commission

SMYTH, P ; malbon, E ; Carey, G ; SMYTH, P (Power to Persuade and UNSW Canberra, 2016)
The 'Social Investment Perspective' in Social Policy: A Longue Duree Perspective

Smyth, P ; Deeming, C (WILEY, 2016-11)

Abstract The ‘social investment perspective’ (OECD, : 14) arguably represents the very latest justification for social policy to guide the development of the economy and society in the 21st century. As yet, its history remains largely unexplored. This article aims to place it in a wider framework by exploring theoretical considerations over a longer timescale, drawing on early observations of founding social theorists on social investment including R. H. Tawney, some of the thinking of T. H. Marshall as well as the radical political economies of welfare in the 1970s and 1980s. The article links emerging ideas about ‘social investment’ to earlier ‘productivist’ traditions within social policy which informed the development of Western industrial welfare states; and shows how the productivist focus had been lost by the 1980s and 1990s with a consequent narrowing of focus to the redistributive role of the tax and transfer system. A longue durée perspective brings into sharp focus the ‘rediscovery’ of the potential of ‘social investment’ social policy in the closing years of the 20th century, as welfare states began to adapt to the new social and economic conditions of the post‐industrial era. Our aim is not to present a systematic history of social policy and economic thought. It is rather exploratory, seeking to show from some of the key thinkers and movements in the British tradition important contextual elements for understanding ‘social investment’ that appear to have been lost in social policy debates over recent decades.
Reassessing the "Social Investment Perspective' for "Inclusive Growth': Where do Older Workers Fit?

Deeming, C ; Smyth, P (CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS, 2016-10)

The notion of building welfare around work poses fresh challenges from a life-course perspective, where the situation of older workers has largely been neglected by policymakers committed to the ‘social investment perspective’ – typically constructed as a policy paradigm for ‘human capital’ development in children and young adults (Esping-Andersen, 2002). This article seeks to re-focus attention on the policy challenges relating to the needs of older workers within the new ‘inclusive growth’ agendas that seek to advance equitable opportunities for all. Social investment policies pose a range of issues and challenges for ageing populations that are discussed and examined in detail in this article. If social investment policy is to succeed in ageing OECD societies, it will mean broadening the investment perspective to include the (neglected) education and training needs of older workers to ensure that everyone can contribute to and share in economic prosperity.
Social Policies for Tougher Times: 2013 Sambell Oration

SMYTH, P (Brotherhood of St laurence, 2013)
The Lady Vanishes: Australia's disappearing Voluntary Sector

SMYTH, P (Brotherhood of St Laurence, 2014)
Social Investment for Inclusive Growth in Australia

SMYTH, P ; Smyth, P ; Buchanan, J (Routledge, 2015)
Changes and Challenges

SMYTH, P (Oxford University Press, 2014)

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