Question 1

Compare and contrast the accomodationist, polycentric and communitarianism perspectives.

Accepted Answer

The accommodationist perspective emphasizes the need for individuals from different cultural backgrounds to adapt and accommodate each other's beliefs and practices in order to coexist peacefully. This perspective encourages tolerance and understanding of diverse viewpoints, and often advocates for policies and practices that promote inclusivity and diversity.

On the other hand, the polycentric perspective focuses on the idea that power and decision-making should be decentralized and distributed among multiple centers of authority. This perspective values diversity and autonomy, and believes that allowing different groups to govern themselves according to their own cultural norms and values can lead to a more harmonious society.

Lastly, the communitarianism perspective emphasizes the importance of community and shared values in shaping social and political life. This perspective values the common good and collective responsibility, and often advocates for policies and practices that strengthen social bonds and promote a sense of belonging and solidarity within communities.

In comparing these perspectives, it is clear that they all value diversity and inclusivity to some extent, but they differ in their approaches to achieving social harmony. The accommodationist perspective focuses on individual adaptation and tolerance, the polycentric perspective emphasizes decentralized decision-making and autonomy, and the communitarianism perspective prioritizes community and shared values. Each perspective offers unique insights into how diverse societies can coexist peacefully, and understanding the strengths and limitations of each can help inform efforts to promote social harmony and inclusivity.

Question 2

Discuss a current social welfare policy or program that demonstrates an institutional perspective.

Accepted Answer

One example of a current social welfare policy that demonstrates an institutional perspective is the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the United States. The ACA, also known as Obamacare, was implemented in 2010 with the goal of increasing access to affordable healthcare for all Americans.

From an institutional perspective, the ACA represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the issue of healthcare access by implementing a series of reforms within the existing healthcare system. These reforms include expanding Medicaid eligibility, creating health insurance marketplaces, and implementing regulations to protect consumers from discriminatory insurance practices.

The ACA also emphasizes the role of government in ensuring that all individuals have access to essential healthcare services, and it seeks to address systemic issues within the healthcare system that contribute to disparities in access and quality of care.

Overall, the ACA demonstrates an institutional perspective by recognizing the need for systemic change within the healthcare system in order to address social welfare issues related to access to healthcare. It represents a policy approach that seeks to address social welfare issues at the institutional level, rather than solely focusing on individual or community-level interventions.

Question 3

Discuss a current social welfare issue that demonstrates a residual approach.

Accepted Answer

A current social welfare issue that demonstrates a residual approach is the lack of affordable housing. In many countries, including the United States, there is a shortage of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. This has led to a situation where the government and social welfare organizations only step in to provide assistance once individuals are already in crisis, such as facing homelessness.

The residual approach to addressing this issue means that social welfare programs and policies are only activated once individuals are in dire need, rather than proactively working to prevent the issue from occurring in the first place. This can lead to a cycle of poverty and instability, as individuals are constantly in a state of crisis and relying on temporary assistance rather than being able to access stable, affordable housing options.

To address this issue from a more proactive, preventative approach, social welfare policies and programs could focus on increasing the availability of affordable housing options, implementing rent control measures, and providing housing subsidies for low-income individuals. By taking a preventative approach, the goal would be to address the root causes of the issue and provide stable, long-term solutions for individuals and families in need. This would shift the focus from a residual approach to a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to social welfare.

Question 4

Discuss the following statement using a concrete example: "A Society has the right to protect itself from those who would seem to radically change it or from those who illegally seek to benefit from it" (Ch 2, p. 19).

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Question 5

Compare and contrast beliefs that support and beliefs that oppose social welfare.

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Question 6

Define the elitism perspective and provide an example of this type of perspective from current global issues.

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Question 7

Define the Protestant work ethic and provide an example of where this perspective would seem to occur in current Canadian policies.

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Question 8

Define communitarianism and provide an example of this perspective from current issues.

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Question 9

Define and provide an example of descriptive or existential beliefs, evaluative beliefs and prescriptive beliefs.

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Question 10

How do the institutional and residual perspectives differ?

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Question 11

One major factor in the decline of Canada's social programs is

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Question 12

Social welfare is

Accepted Answer

Social welfare is each society's definition of the good and desirable.

Question 13

Regeneration is related to

Accepted Answer

Regeneration is related to the rise of the Social Gospel Movement and the Liberalism movement, as both movements emphasized social reform and the improvement of society, which aligns with the concept of regeneration or renewal.

Question 14

The residual perspective considers social welfare

Accepted Answer

The residual perspective views social welfare as a limited and temporary response to individuals' needs when they cannot be met through other means, such as the market or family.

Question 15

The institutional approach sees social welfare as

Accepted Answer

The institutional approach views social welfare as a fundamental and integral part of society, necessary for its overall functioning and well-being, rather than as a temporary or exceptional measure.

Question 16

The theory of population

Accepted Answer

The theory of population, most notably articulated by Thomas Malthus, states that human population grows at a geometric (exponential) rate, while food production increases at an arithmetic (linear) rate.

Question 17

The Protestant work ethic was first articulated by

Accepted Answer

The Protestant work ethic, also known as the Calvinist work ethic, was first articulated by Martin Luther, a key figure in the Protestant Reformation. This concept emphasizes hard work, discipline, and frugality as a display of an individual's faith and morality.

Question 18

The Protestant work ethic was extended by John Calvin to

Accepted Answer

The Protestant work ethic, as extended by John Calvin, encompasses all these aspects: defining work as a divine vocation, seeing work in the marketplace as a religious experience, interpreting material success as a sign of God's favor, and viewing failure to succeed as indicative of moral inferiority. This ethic emphasizes diligence, discipline, and frugality as a means of achieving success, which is seen as a sign of God's blessing.

Question 19

French Canada was influenced by

Accepted Answer

French Canada was significantly influenced by Roman Catholicism, which played a central role in its culture and society. Additionally, the belief in the family as a distinct and important unit is a notable aspect of French Canadian society, reflecting values often associated with Catholic teachings. Calvinism, however, was not a major influence in French Canada, as it was more associated with other regions and Protestant movements.

Question 20

Postmodernism calls for

Accepted Answer

Postmodernism emphasizes inclusivity, social justice, and community engagement, thus all the options (A, B, and C) reflect its principles.

Quiz 2: The Philosophical and Value Base of Canadian Social Welfare