Fisher, K: Whose Values Shape Social Policy?

Whose values shape social policy? Do community interests always lose to economic rationalists in the struggle between costs and social goals? Sociologists such as Michael Pusey argue that economic rationalism displaces social values. However does policy implementation theory draw different conclusions about the affect of economic rationalism? This book uses participant values and dynamic policy implementation concepts to test the impact of values of economic rationality in the Australian coordinated care policy (1994-2001). The policy was to coordinate care, using a funds pool, case managers and care plans for people with chronic care needs. The results show that the policy changed away from values of economic rationality after the central government agencies handed responsibility to health agencies. However it was the organisational values of health providers that dominated implementation rather than social values. The book adds to social policy implementation theory about the impact of economic rationalism. It shows that knowing which organisations are responsible for policy at each policy stage reveals whose values shape social policy.