In Contemporary Society How Do Political Paradigms Influence Health and Social Care Reform

Abstract

Significant trends within contemporary society has led to increasing numbers of the UK population becoming socially excluded (MacInnes et al., 2014). In a politically charged neoliberalistic society, this has led to an ever-diminishing commitment to the welfare state and the undermining of the social justice principles on which it was founded; ultimately leading to a reduction in public services to such a degree that it is no longer possible to meet the ever-increasing needs of the vulnerable (Rouf, 2015). However, it could be argued that the welfare state has, over time, created the ‘welfare dependency trap’ (HMG, 2010) through which individuals and local communities have become disempowered; this continues to be emphasised by the shortage of housing, gaps in educational attainment and worklessness.

The sense of injustice that these continuing trends create means that the research previously undertaken, including Acheson (1998), Marmot (2010) and the inquiries discharged (Whitehead, 2014), has begun to paint a bleak picture for those of a low socioeconomic background, particularly in the North of England, whether in work or not.