1. CHAPTER 2
Defining
Social Welfare Policy
The Policy-Based Profession
An Introduction to
Social Welfare Policy Analysis
for Social Workers
Fifth Edition
Philip R. Popple & Leslie Leighninger
Slides by Heather Kanenberg, University of Houston, Clear Lake
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2. Defining Social Welfare Policy
• Two separate constructs
– Social Welfare
– Social Policy
• Social Welfare Policy: (initial definition)
“Principles, guidelines, or procedures that serve
the purpose of maximizing uniformity in
decision making regarding the problem of
dependency in our society”

3. Complicating Factors
• Terms are used interchangeably in society,
publications and even social work texts
• Terms are understood differently as a
curriculum area, an area of academic study,
and an area of practice
• Macro-level policy, Mezzo-level policy,
Micro-level policy
– Examples???

4. Refined Definition
• For the purpose of our work & in
consideration of all the factors:
“Social welfare policy concerns those interrelated,
but not necessarily logically consistent principles,
guidelines, and procedures designed to deal with
the problem of dependency in our society…”

5. Social Welfare Policy
Analysis Outline
• Policy Delineation
• Historical Analysis
• Social Analysis
• Economic Analysis
• Political Analysis
• Policy/Program Evaluation
• Current Proposals for Reform
Please see Part II of the text