The latest title in the Behaviourally Informed Organizations series offers practical advice on how best to successfully design, deliver, and evaluate efficient cash transfer programs, with a view to alleviating poverty. While much progress has been made in reducing poverty worldwide – especially in the pre-pandemic era – it is fair to say that an unacceptably large proportion of the world’s people still live in poverty. Cash Transfers for Inclusive Societies sheds light on the widely prevalent cash transfer programs. The book asks these central questions: What is the state of the art in the development of welfare programs? What do we know works in these programs and what does not? How can an understanding of behavioral science better inform the design, delivery, and evaluation of welfare programs? The latest title in the Behaviourally Informed Organizations series, the book develops a nuanced framework for how governments, practitioners, and society in general should design cash transfer programs to improve inclusivity, reduce poverty, and improve equality. It draws on field experiments and case studies to showcase past successes, while also building frameworks and developing prescriptive advice that we can give to practitioners who are looking to design a behaviorally informed cash transfer program. With contributions from leading academics as well as seasoned practitioners, Cash Transfers for Inclusive Societies presents a new model to policymakers to study and shift the discourse on poverty alleviation from purely economic factors to also behavioral ones.

Understanding the effects of both climate change and green growth policies on jobs and people is thus essential for making the transition in Southeast Asia an inclusive one. The study explores these issues, with emphasis on the potential effects on labour of an energy transition in Indonesia, and of a transition in the region’s agricultural sector, illustrated by a simulated conversion from conventional to organic rice farming.

The OECD Regional Outlook 2016 examines the widening productivity gap across regions within countries, and the implications of these trends for the well-being of people living in different places.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) proclaimed the equality of all human beings in dignity and rights. The right to social security, however, has been taken more seriously only since the 2000s, through calls for 'Social Security for All' and 'Leaving no-one behind'. The book investigates a major response, social cash transfers to the poor. The idea of simply giving money to the poor had been rejected by all major development organizations, but since the early 2000s, social cash transfers have mushroomed in the global South and on agendas of international organizations. How come? What programmes have emerged in which countries? How inclusive are the programmes? What models have international organizations devised? Based on unique quantitative and qualitative data and on newly created concepts and indicators, the book takes stock of all identifiable cash transfers in all Southern countries and of the views of all major international organizations. The volume argues that cash transfers reflect broader changes: new understandings of development, of human rights, of global risks, of the social responsibility of governments, and of universalism. Social cash transfers have turned the poor from objects of charity into rights-holders and agents of their own lives and of development. A repertoire of cash transfers has evolved that has enhanced social citizenship, but is limited by weak political commitments. The book also contributes to a general theory of social policy in development contexts, through a constructivist sociological approach that complements the dominant approaches from welfare economics and political economy and includes a theory of social assistance.

How well do behavioral science interventions translate and scale in the real world? Consider a practitioner who is looking to create behavior change through an intervention – perhaps it involves getting people to conserve energy, increase compliance with a medication regime, reduce misinformation, or improve tax collection. The behavioral science practitioner will typically draw inspiration from a previous study or intervention to translate into their own intervention. The latest book in the Behaviourally Informed Organizations series, What Works, What Doesn’t (and When) presents a collection of studies in applied behavioral research with a behind-the-scenes look at how the project actually unfolded. Using seventeen case studies of such translation and scaling projects in diverse domains such as financial decisions, health, energy conservation, development, reducing absenteeism, diversity and inclusion, and reducing fare evasion, the book outlines the processes, the potential pitfalls, as well as some prescriptions on how to enhance the success of behavioral interventions. The cases show how behavioral science research is done – from getting inspiration to adapting research into context, designing tailored interventions, and comparing and reconciling results. With contributions from leading academics and seasoned practitioners, What Works, What Doesn’t (and When) provides prescriptive advice on how to make behavior change projects happen and what pitfalls to watch out for.

Cash Transfers, for all their notable successes, have been criticised for their limited ability to move poor households to provide sustainable routes out of poverty. This book draws on original qualitative research by leading scholars and development policy experts from a range of disciplines to examine whether cash transfers can have transformative spillover effects on individuals, households and communities. Case studies from Africa, the Middle East and Latin America show that, while there are limits to the sustainability of the transformations brought about by Cash Transfers, they can bring about changes affecting the social and political integration of very poor households. With chapters on Psycho-Social Wellbeing, Social Accountability and Social Capital, this comprehensive volume casts new light on the ongoing debates over the significance of the Cash Transfer ‘revolution’. This book was originally published as a special issue of The Journal of Development Studies.

"Policy Horizons: Mapping the Global Nexus (Vol-I)" by Arindam Bhattacharya is an authoritative and comprehensive exploration of the intricate dynamics shaping public policy in an increasingly interconnected world. This first volume in a groundbreaking series offers an in-depth analysis of how global forces influence policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation across various domains. Bhattacharya, a distinguished scholar and policy expert, provides readers with a robust framework to understand and navigate the complexities of contemporary governance. The book meticulously examines key areas such as globalization and its impact on policy-making, the balance between security and civil liberties, the challenges of cybersecurity, and the multifaceted nature of counterterrorism. Through a blend of theoretical insights, empirical research, and real-world case studies, Bhattacharya sheds light on the evolving landscape of public policy. His clear and engaging writing style makes complex concepts accessible, ensuring that readers from diverse backgrounds can grasp the nuances of global policy challenges. In "Policy Horizons: Mapping the Global Nexus (Vol-I)," Bhattacharya delves into the importance of democratic governance, exploring how principles like representative democracy, the rule of law, and civic engagement are crucial for ensuring accountable and inclusive governance. He also addresses the persistent challenges posed by institutional weaknesses and fragmentation, highlighting the need for comprehensive reforms to enhance governance effectiveness and resilience. The book underscores the significance of fostering civic engagement and participation, illustrating how civil society organizations play a pivotal role in advocating for social justice, transparency, and accountability. Bhattacharya presents compelling examples, such as Brazil's participatory budgeting program and grassroots movements like Black Lives Matter, to demonstrate the transformative potential of citizen participation in governance. "Policy Horizons: Mapping the Global Nexus (Vol-I)" is not just an academic treatise but a practical guide for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners. It offers actionable insights and recommendations for enhancing policy resilience and responsiveness in the face of global challenges. Bhattacharya's thoughtful analysis and comprehensive approach make this book an indispensable resource for anyone interested in understanding and shaping the future of public policy. As readers immerse themselves in this seminal work, they will gain a deeper appreciation of the interconnectedness of global policy issues and the imperative of collaborative, innovative approaches to governance. This volume sets the stage for the forthcoming "Policy Horizons: Mapping the Global Nexus (Vol-II)," which will continue the exploration with topics such as health policy, education policy, cultural policy, migration policy, energy policy, urbanization, digital governance, and international cooperation. "Policy Horizons: Mapping the Global Nexus (Vol-I)" is a testament to Arindam Bhattacharya's expertise and vision, offering a compelling and timely contribution to the field of public policy. It is a must-read for anyone committed to understanding the forces shaping our world and fostering informed, effective policy solutions.

The countries of East and Southeast Asia, taken as a whole, display a laboratory of social and political conditions, with individual countries presenting a variety of political, cultural and social characteristics. Some with one-party state systems, others with stable liberal democracies and yet others with more fragile democratic systems. As such the region presents a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between diverse national environments and social work education regimes. In this book, social work educators and theorists from around East and Southeast Asia provide accounts of the social work programs within the higher education systems of their respective countries and compare them to those of their neighbours. This is the first book to offer a structured account of how social work and social work education have emerged and finds their present place in the historical, economic, political, urban/rural and higher education contexts of Southeast Asia and East Asia. Experts from the region assess the extent to which these countries’ systems possess a collective coherence, while examining the diversity among them.

Inclusive Urban Development in the Global South emphasizes the importance of the neighbourhood in urban development planning, with case studies aimed at transforming current intervention practices towards more inclusive and just means of engagement with individuals and communities. The chapters explore how diversity of gender, class, race and ethnicity, citizenship status, age, ability, and sexuality is taken (or not taken) into account and approached in the planning and implementation of development policy and interventions in poor urban areas. The book employs a practical perspective on the deployment of theoretical critiques of intersectionality and diversity in development practice through case studies examining issues such as water and sanitation planning in Dhaka, indigenous rights to the city in Bolivia, post-colonial planning in Hong Kong, land reform in Zimbabwe, and many more. The book focuses on radical alternatives with the potential to foster urban transformations for planning and development communities working around the world.