Essay on "U.K. Government: Social Policy Theory"

Essay 4 pages (1160 words) Sources: 5

[EXCERPT] . . . .

" (S-cool, 2012) Beveredge held that "it was the duty of individuals to combine as a society with the strong supporting the weak. The liberal consensus involved an acceptance of the mixed economy and the welfare state." (S-cool, 2012) This view is that the free market produces various undesirable features including: (1) The free market has as its basis "accumulation not social purpose and inevitably leads to avoidable ills and misery for some individuals; (2) market forces are "undemocratic being controlled by a few very powerful individuals; (3) the free market provides rewards that are unjust and moral principle does not govern penalties and rewards; (4) the market is not self-regulating and unless the market is regulated the result is economic crisis, unemployment, inflation and over production"; and (5) because of the first four stated issues "poverty and inequality increase in a free market economy. (S-cool, 2012) From the view of the social democrat, the welfare state "is an obvious response to the drawbacks of the free market." (S-cool, 2012)

III. Parliamentary Policy-Making Process

In the UK, "there is an extensive gestation and drafting process before a bill is laid before Parliament. Government has to decide that a measure is necessary. Increasingly, Ministers will consult on proposed measures." (House of the Lords, ) At the time a bill is agreed upon for introduction "the Office of Parliamentary Counsel then draft it on the basis of detailed 'instructions' drawn up by relevant sponsoring Government department. Drafting is a specialized art and it takes seven years to become fully proficient in drafting a bill of moderate size." ( ) The number of parliamentary counsel increased from 36 in 1997 to 56 at present and it is reported that it was expected that there would be 62. Ten are needed for assisting the Inland Revenue and the Law Commission while two or three "normally work on a bill, though the Finance Bill can absorb the time of a large number. ( ) The increase in the number of individuals acting as parliamentary counsel has resulted in the Office being able to stay abreast of the demands of volume of legislation growth. (, paraphrased) Parliamentary Counsel Office work has "traditionally been devoted to preparing bills for introduction to Parliament. However, this counsel have also in recent years been involved in drawing up draft bills; that is, bill that are intended to be available for comment prior to their formal introduction to Parliament." ( ) In the period between 1992 to 1997, the government published a total of 18 bills in draft. They were not subject to systematic parliamentary scrutiny but rather published for the purpose of external consultation." ( ) It is reported that the committee reports "have not only affected the content of the bills brought before Parliament but have also been drawn upon by members in the debates on the bills. This was notably the case with the Communications Bill. The work of the committees is thus not something conducted in isolation of either House, but contributes to Members' understanding of the issues surrounding the bills. This enhances the quality of the scrutiny during the legislative process itself." ( ) While some members are reported to welcome "the pre-legislative scrutiny that has been undertaken" others are reported to not be as positive. It is stated that Lord Carter informed the House of Lords reported that 'there are… READ MORE

How to Reference "U.K. Government: Social Policy Theory" Essay in a Bibliography

Related Essays:

Outsourcing of Government Functions a US Study Term Paper

Government Outsourcing

The Outsourcing of Government Functions: a U.S. Study

Outsourcing of government functions is one of the most highly controversial practices of the 21st century. There are several prevailing… read more

Term Paper 35 pages (10988 words) Sources: 25 Style: MLA Topic: Government / Politics

---

Tension Between Theory and Practice. For Example Essay

tension between theory and practice. For example, books may explain how decisions should be made; however, reality and human nature dictates how they are made.

Just as no battle plan… read more

Essay 4 pages (1191 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Government / Politics

---

Social Justice Western Perspectives Term Paper

Social Justice: Western Perspectives

Recent developments in international relations have determined a new dimension of the definition of social justice. Nowadays there is a tendency to consider social justice from… read more

Term Paper 5 pages (1686 words) Sources: 12 Topic: Government / Politics

---

How Successful Has America's Policy of Promoting Democracy Been Since Word War II Essay

successful has America's policy of promoting democracy been since Word War II?

After the Second World War, the U.S. gained hegemony over the rest of the world nations that decisively… read more

Essay 7 pages (2576 words) Sources: 15 Style: Harvard Topic: Government / Politics

---

US Tax Policy Research Proposal

U.S. tax policy

Although smokers may hate to hear it, tax policies used for the purpose of social engineering do seem to work. According to USA Today, "Cigarette sales fell… read more

Research Proposal 7 pages (2407 words) Sources: 5 Topic: Economics / Finance / Banking

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>