Emotional Life and the Politics of Welfare - by P Hoggett (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Social policy and political theory are based upon rationalist models of the human subject. Drawing particularly upon contemporary Kleinian and feminist political theory the author explores the powerful role that emotions such as love, hate and fear play in the development of the human subject. From this base the book then examines a range of contemporary issues such as employment, dependency, care and generosity, conflict and oppression which are relevant to struggles around the welfare state.

Review Quotes

'Paul Hoggett has written a cogent and compelling account of the intersections between emotional life and social policy. This book articulates a powerful case for engaging with the emotions in rethinking both the analysis and politics of social welfare. His approach to thinking dynamically about the interrelationships between self, social relations and state around need, power and emancipation recovers vital issues for social policy'. - John Clarke, Professor of Social Policy, The Open University

'Paul Hoggett aims to bring back into debates about welfare the reality of emotionally complex human subjects. He draws on psychoanalysis and feminist social theory to restore the values of creativity and interdependence to a central place in social thinking. The great strength of this book is that its radical ideas are grounded in descriptions of many specific areas of social practice, based on its author's wide experience as a community researcher and consultant. Here is a way of thinking about welfare that looks beyond managerialism and the market.' - Professor Michael Rustin, University of East London

About the Author

Paul Hoggett is Professor of Politics and Director of the Center for Social and Economic Research at the University of the West of England.