Causal Mechanisms in the Global Development of Social Policies

• Other Authors: Kuhlmann, Johanna (Editor), Nullmeier, Frank (Editor)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer Nature 2022
• Series: Global Dynamics of Social Policy
• Subjects: Central government policies; Social work; Development studies; welfare state; pensions; health care; social assistance; social insurance; social security
• Online Access: DOAB: download the publication; DOAB: description of the publication

This open access edited volume introduces the concept of causal mechanisms to explore new ways of explaining the global dynamics of social policy, and shows that a mechanism-based approach provides several advantages over established approaches for studying social policy. The introductory chapter outlines the mechanism-based approach, which stands out by modularisation and a clear focus on actors. The mechanism-based approach then guides the twelve chapters on social policy developments in different Asian, African, European and Latin American countries. Based on these findings, the concluding chapter provides a structured compilation of causal mechanisms and outlines how a mechanism-based approach can further strengthen research on the global development of social policies, especially in a comparative perspective. The edited volume is highly relevant for social policy scholars from a variety of disciplines, as well as for scholars interested in strengthening explanation in the social sciences.