Summary
Contents
Subject index
The Handbook of Social Policy is an attempt to document the now substantial body of knowledge about government social policies that has been accumulated since the study of social policy first emerged as an organized field of academic endeavor about 50 years ago. The Second Edition offers a more streamlined format to make the book more consistent with the way most instructors teach their courses. This text is a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to a vast field of endeavor that has, over the years, made a significant difference to the lives and the well-being of the people of the United States.
The Definition of Social Policy
The Definition of Social Policy
As was noted in the introduction to this book, policies are courses of action adopted by formal organizations. They prescribe, govern, and routinize the activities of these organizations. They govern their internal functioning, direct the activities of their members, and shape their relations with other organizations. They also specify how organizations should function in the wider social, economic, and political environment. They standardize decision making, enhance organizational efficiency, and facilitate goal attainment.
Policies are necessitated by the increasing complexity and pace of organizational life. They are critically important if organizations are to attain their goals. Without policies, managers and staff would spend a good deal of time trying to decide how to act in different situations, and ...
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