Author: Ryan, Neal

Source: Policy & Politics, Volume 33, Number 3, July 2005 , pp. 451-460(10)

Publisher: Policy Press

Abstract:

This paper provides an analysis of the broad policy agenda pursued by governments led by John Howard during the period 1996–2004. During this period, market economics has tended to dominate social policy. The paper provides a brief history of social policy during these governments, especially in relation to education, Indigenous affairs, retirement policy, women and regional issues, and social services. The paper concludes that social policy during this period has been characterised by an emphasis on conservative social values, control of the policy process, mainstreaming, market models of service delivery and individual responsibility over government provision.

Spanish
Este documento ofrece un análisis de la amplia agenda política aplicada por los gobiernos conducidos por John Howard durante el periodo de 1996–2004. Durante este periodo, las economías de mercado han tendido a dominar la política social. El documento ofrece una historia breve de la política social durante estos gobiernos, en especial en relación a la educación, asuntos indígenas, política de jubilación, asuntos regionales y de las mujeres y los servicios sociales. El documento concluye con que la política social durante este periodo ha sido caracterizada por una énfasis en los valores sociales conservadores, por un control de los procesos políticos, mayoritarios, modelos de mercado en la entrega de servicios y responsabilidad individual sobre la provisión de gobierno.

French
Cet article analyse les grandes lignes du programme de politique entrepris par les gouvernements dirigés par John Howard de 1996 à 2004. Au cours de cette période, l'économie de marché a eu tendance à dominer la politique sociale. L'article fait un historique rapide de la politique sociale sous ces gouvernements, surtout par rapport à l'enseignement, aux affaires indigènes, à la politique des pensions, aux problèmes des femmes, aux problèmes régionaux et aux services sociaux. En conclusion, l'article démontre que la politique sociale pendant cette période a été caractérisée par l'importance accordée aux valeurs sociales conservatrices, au contrôle du processus politique, à l'intégration, aux modèles de marché des prestations de services et à la primauté de la responsabilité de l'individu sur les dispositions prises par le gouvernement.

Keywords: SOCIAL POLICY; HOWARD GOVERNMENT; CONSERVATIVE POLITICS

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/0305573054325738

Publication date: 2005-07-01

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