What do you mean? : conceptual clarity in social policy / Alessandro Magnoli.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Bocchi, Alessandro Magnoli, 1968-

Contributor:

Inter-American Development Bank.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social policy.

Educational vouchers.

Health insurance.

Physical Description:

231 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : Inter-American Development Bank ; [Baltimore] : Distributed by the Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002.

Summary:

Efficiency and equity are priorities in the social policies of both industrial and developing countries. However, policy studies use efficiency and equity objectives in a general way, while in practice they may refer to specific concepts. This study looks at the political dimension of the economic problem -- different value judgments lead to different concepts of efficiency and equity. The design of social policies depends on the interpretation -- rarely explicit -- of policymakers. What Do You Mean? shows how conceptual clarity can improve social services delivery.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Efficiency and Equity in Social Policy 11

The Conceptual Roots of the Efficiency-Equity Relationship 13

Analytical Definitions 23

The Relationship between Efficiency and Equity 29

Appendix The Ideas below the Surface 40

Chapter 2. Vouchers in Education 49

Financing Mechanisms 54

The Voucher System 68

Efficiency and Equity: How Different Concepts Yield Different Voucher Programs 84

Appendix Expenditures and Performance 102

Chapter 3. Health Insurance 111

Specificities of Health Care 115

Insurance Design: Three Ideal Types 120

Insurance Design in Practice 133

Efficiency and Equity: How Different Concepts Lead to Different Results 142

Appendix Health Insurance in Practice 162

Different Views, Different Concepts 174

Vouchers in Education 175

Health Insurance 176

The Importance of Efficiency in Coordination 178

Policy Implications of Different Concepts of Efficiency and Equity 179

Suggestions for Further Application of the Methodology 191.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [193]-231).

ISBN:

1931003181

OCLC:

50001606