Social Report 2009

Students in 179-201 especially should note that the 2009 edition of the Social Report is now on line and shows some interesting (but negative) trends associated with the recent recession. Click here.

Conference on community well-being

Students (and others) are encouraged to attend the Passing Go conference on 20 November: Click here for more info.

The organisers say:

"The success of the new Auckland Council is dependent on strong and healthy communities. For the first time this conference brings together Auckland's leading academics, political thinkers, and expert practitioners, to debate the crucial issue of how the new council can work to promote social wellbeing in Auckland."

A student discount can be organised. Contact me, if you are interested in this.

179-201 Essay 2

These essays have been marked and are available from Atrium level 2 reception to pick up.

179-201 Questions

1.How effectively does the present amended section 59 of the Crimes Act protect children from violence? Support your answer with reference to research evidence and current ideas of children’s rights.

2. What is the nature and extent of poverty in New Zealand?

3. The Labour Party boasts a history of ‘democratic socialism’. To what extent do the social-policy achievements of the Labour-led government of 1999–2008 fit within that tradition?

4. How would you typify New Zealand’s welfare state at the beginning of the 21st century?

5. How well has social policy in New Zealand worked for Maori?

6. What are the likely social effects of the economic recession of 2008–9?

7. What forms of effective social-policy changes could be put into effect by the future amalgamated Auckland Council?

200-215 Questions

Answer any ONE (1) of the following questions, basing your answer on at least one of the theorists covered in this course.

1. Why might we be better off with a benevolent dictator?

2. Why is it that, more often than not, women are conspicuous in their absence from traditional political theory?

3. What is the relationship between justice and happiness?

4. Are utopian visions beneficial for political progress?

5. Was democracy a bad idea?

6. Is the social contract fiction or non-fiction?

7. Should the Church stay out of politics?

Section 59

The present wording of s. 59 can be found on line: click here.

I mentioned a literature review on the effects of corporal punishment, and you can find that here.

There's another article on public submissions to the amendment Bill that may also be interesting, here. But remember that, while public opinion is relevant to Parliament's deliberations, it is not the only factor to consider. International legal obligations on States and research-based evidence need to be taken into account.

The UN convention on the rights of the child includes a periodic review of NZ as a signatory. Click here for more info, and then click on the link that says 'concluding observations' to download the most recent UN Committee report on NZ (dated 2003). That document does include comments about S. 59.

Poverty

A couple of students have already asked about the poverty essay question and where to find info on this. As the lecture on this topic is a while away, and as it is a question that really does require reference to well-informed analyses, I refer you to some useful on-line sources.

First, the Social Report's data on economic standard of living (and possibly other indicators) will be useful as a basic set of stats for NZ. Please note that the Social Report does not use the term 'poverty'.

The MSD's own journal the Social Policy Journal of NZ also carries numerous articles about poverty, and you can browse and download these free on line. Note that you can sort by subject, and one of the subjects in the list is 'poverty'. Just a wee hint there.

You can also look at the Child Poverty Action Group, who are a lobby group and have some highly qualified researchers working for them. They will give a more critical perspective on government policy.

If you're really ambitious, you might like to look at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation too, even though they are in the UK.

So please DO NOT consult randomly googled newspaper columns, blogs etc for 'research' on this topic. If you do that, your grade will suffer for it.