Programme full

Thursday 16 April 2015 15:30 - 17:00
PAPER SESSION 6 / PECHA KUCHA SESSIONS
political 'identities' only came to be framed as such with the emergence of identity politics and new social movements
in the political landscapes of capitalist societies in the 60s and 70s. Ultimately, this paper offers a new exploration of
the articulation of the idea of identity to the social logic of capitalism, from the 'organised capitalism' of the midtwentieth
century, up to and including the neoliberal capitalism that prevails today.
From Residual Welfare to Inclusive Growth: Social Policy Adaptations in a Globalized Neo-Liberal
Developmental State
Tam, C.H.
(SIM University)
Global neo-liberal economic restructuring has produced widening income inequalities. Global capital movements
have compelled countries to move up the value-chain, causing structural unemployment. As societies age,
transnational labour mobility is promoted as a solution to the problem of old-age dependency even as it causes antiimmigration
backlash. The Singaporean developmental state, a key player in the global economy, and whose neoliberal
policies have made Singapore one of the most globally competitive economies, similarly has to deal with these
global challenges. Hence, from years of maintaining a residual welfare system where the Singapore state provides
high-quality public education, health and housing for individuals to enable themselves rather than to rely on direct
social transfers, the state now pushes for 'inclusive growth' where it enlarges the social safety net. This paper
examines these new systemic changes and evaluates how these social policy adaptations address the competing
social needs and ideological contestation in a globalized neo-liberal developmental state. The paper also looks
historically, as Singapore celebrates its 50th Anniversary of Independence next year, if and how 'inclusive growth'
harks back to the socialist-democratic consensus of the 1960s' nation-building years.
What Democracy Means to City Councilors? City Councilors´ Conceptions of Democracy in Turku
Salminiitty, R.
(University of Turku)
In recent years, local democracy has been challenged by the major changes in municipal operating environments
such as market-demanding provision of services, new management styles and, especially in the Finnish context, the
consolidation of municipalities. Central to these trends is citizen participation, which has also been a recurrent theme
in surveys on citizen attitudes.
However, far too little attention has focused on the attitudes of decision-makers. It seems that the rich research of civil
society and the trust in its ability to strengthen democracy has blurred the profound impact of decision-makers´
opinions in developing local democracy and citizen participation. In addition, prior research has noted the distinction
between citizen´s and decision-makers´ opinions on citizen participation and on other municipal issues.
My research focuses on the decision-makers´ opinions and their conception of democracy. It is based on two
surveys, which were conducted in Finland (City of Turku) in 2005 and 2013. In these surveys I approached the
conception of democracy from two angles, namely attitudes of councilors and values of councilors. The results
indicate that attitudes and values seem to be two different aspects of the concept of democracy. With this finding it
was possible to build a typology, which serves both understanding todays democracy attitudes and conceptualization
of democracy. In addition, the results indicate quite clear polarization in councilors´ attitudes towards citizen
participation. In my presentation I also introduce preliminary findings of city councilors´ interviews, which will be
conducted in autumn 2014.
Sociology of Education
M137, GEORGE MOORE BUILDING
DIFFERENT DEGREES OF INEQUALITY?
The last 20 years has seen a mass expansion of the higher education sector with more students from non-traditional
backgrounds applying and being accepted to university. However the picture is far from rosy as noted by Phil Brown,
this expansion has resulted in a congested graduate labour market, with an oversupply of skilled workers. In such a
competitive climate issues of class and gender inequality become increasingly prominent as some are more able to
capitalise on additional resources above and beyond ‘the degree’ to ensure success. This symposium draws together
two complimentary research projects: The Paired Peers Project and The Futuretrack Project to shed some light on
these issues of inequality in graduate outcomes.
BSA Annual Conference 2015 218
Glasgow Caledonian University