First published in 1985, Capitalism and Public Policy in the UK provides a comprehensive account of the development, contemporary character and impact of public policy in the UK. It relates public policy to the distinctive features of capitalism, class relations and the state. The first chapter is used to outline the theoretical framework adopted throughout the book. This sees public policy as strongly influenced by the requirements of the capitalist mode of production, the balance of class forces, historical influences, gender divisions and international relations. Each of the subsequent chapters focuses on a particular area of policy. The relevant theoretical concepts are first introduced followed by an historical account of the development of policy with particular emphasis on the post-1945 period. Where appropriate the impact of a particular area of policy on inequalities of class, gender, race and age is examined. Finally, the impact of each area of policy and the state to the process of economic change, to class relations and to other social divisions. It will be of interest to all those studying the state, public policy and political economy generally.

The welfare state is under attack around the globe. This book provides an overall examination of social welfare and a comparative study of policies in different societies. Tom Burden explores alternative theoretical approaches to the development of social policy offering a spread of material from around the world, including both developed and developing countries. Analyzing the ideologies underlying national and social policies, he shows that these policies can be classified in terms of radical, reformist and the right.

It is a key aim of current youth justice policy to introduce principles of restorative justice and involve victims in responses to crime. This is most evident in the referral order and youth offender panels established by the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. However, the challenges involved in delivering a form of restorative youth justice that is sensitive to the needs of victims are considerable. This report provides an illuminating evaluation of the manner in which one Youth Offending Service sought to integrate victims into the referral order process. The study affords in-depth insights into the experiences and views of victims and young people who attended youth offender panel meetings. It places these in the context of recent policy debates and principles of restorative justice. The report tracks a 6 month cohort of cases in 2004; provides an analysis of in-depth interviews with victims, young offenders and their parents; highlights the challenges associated with integrating victims into restorative youth justice; offers recommendations with regard to the involvement of victims in referral orders. This timely report will be of great value to youth justice policy-makers and practitioners, researchers and students of criminology and criminal justice, as well as all those interested in restorative interventions and the role of victims in the justice process.