1st Edition
Risk and Public Policy in East Asia
Contemporary Asian society is marked by social processes associated with the loss of stable economic growth and high employment; family structures capable of caring for family members in need; and governmental economic and political competence. Post-financial crisis job uncertainty and income and labor market polarization have become important issue in Asian societies. Family structures are viewed as have been weakened, with a corresponding rise in divorce and domestic violence. Trust in the government is in decline. Against this backdrop it is timely to review three critical issues: 1) policies addressing work-related risks and socio-economic security; 2) changes regarding the structure and stability of families; and 3) issues concerning governance in times of weakened state capacity, declining trust, and the emergence of new politics. Containing chapters written by international scholars, this book introduces the concepts and theoretical approaches of risk and risk and governance and places them within the context of Asian societies.
Biography
Raymond K.H. Chan, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Mutsuko Takahashi, Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation and Development, Kibi International University, Japan and Lillian Lih-rong Wang, Professor, Department of Social Work & Director, Social Policy Research Center, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
'This excellent book should be required reading for students of social and public policy. It breaks new ground by examining the concepts of risk and risk management in an East Asian context. A thorough theoretical foundation at the start provides the reference point for specific case studies, helpfully grouped into integrated sections, which together create a comprehensive picture of the key issues concerning risk and risk regulation in East Asia.' Alan Walker, University of Sheffield, UK 'Risk and Public Policy in East Asia is a welcome addition to the comparative social policy literature. While the economic underpinnings of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong have been examined, too little attention has been paid to their social innovations. This book reveals the diverse ways these important countries are responding to new (and old) social risks.' Rianne Mahon, Balsillie School of International Affairs, Canada 'East Asian economic developments rather than welfare systems have traditionally formed the focus of scholarly attention on the region. With the development of policies responding to rapid social changes in this region, this stimulating book analyzes public policy in terms of the risk society and is an essential book for all those studying East Asian public policy.' Shogo Takegawa, University of Tokyo, Japan
