We Have Choices: Globalisation and welfare user movements

Abstract

This article connects and juxtaposes two important contemporary discourses in social policy: those of globalisation and of the 'welfare users' movements, particularly the movements of disabled people. It questions the widespread use of the globalisation process as a rationale for accepting that social policies should be subordinated to narrow economic constraints. It discusses the implications of social policies associated with globalisation for disabled people and other welfare service users, and their response to these. In particular the movements' emphasis on asserting choice in policy and their ability to influence the policy process is noted. The article concludes that there is much to be gained from a closer dialogue between the users' movements and social policy as a discipline, although there still seems to be some resistance to this from the latter.