This dissertation takes an important step in understanding the phenomenon of non-take-up of social support and what it means for contemporary social policies. Even when sufficient services of... Show moreThis dissertation takes an important step in understanding the phenomenon of non-take-up of social support and what it means for contemporary social policies. Even when sufficient services of social support are being offered, it is not self-evident that all individuals who are in need of help will actually use those services. Different types of problems and barriers may inhibit their help-seeking process.Despite its apparent universality, our fundamental understanding of this non-take-up of social support is limited. This is problematic because failure to understand and effectively address non-take-up leaves social needs unattended to and will lead to higher welfare costs.To better understand the ‘how and why’ of this non-take-up, this study analyzes the lived experiences and perceptions of potential welfare clients in the Dutch municipality of The Hague. It discusses what the implications of these findings are for social policies. What can be learned from the problems and barriers that potential welfare clients experience in their daily lives? Researchers, policymakers and practitioners who work in and around the social domain may all benefit from the insights of this study. Show less
The Financial Crisis since 2007 is one of the most important challenges in recent decades. Starting with financing problems in the United States’ real estate market, the financial difficulties... Show moreThe Financial Crisis since 2007 is one of the most important challenges in recent decades. Starting with financing problems in the United States’ real estate market, the financial difficulties developed into a major crisis affecting nearly all economic sectors in industrial countries. Next to citizens and private companies, the public sector was – and partially still is – affected by the Financial Crisis, thereby implying a variety of direct and indirect implications for public budgets.On closer inspection, the impact of and responses to the Financial Crisis involved all levels of government, depending on the division of tasks and responsibilities within systems of multi-level governance. While the roles of the national, supranational, and international levels during the Crisis were widely reported in news coverage and academic research, the implications for sub-national government has received far less attention.The main intentions of this study are to analyse how the Financial Crisis affected the financial situation of the local level of government in the Netherlands and its approximately 400 municipalities and to identify the factors that determined variation. By following a multidisciplinary approach, the study combines theoretical considerations from the academic disciplines of public administration, political science, economics, law, psychology, and sociology. Show less
Mediaberichten zouden in sterke mate het optreden van criminaliteitsbestrijders be_nvloeden, dat is althans wat politici en opinieleiders vaak beweren. Maar is dat eigenlijk wel zo? In dit boek... Show moreMediaberichten zouden in sterke mate het optreden van criminaliteitsbestrijders be_nvloeden, dat is althans wat politici en opinieleiders vaak beweren. Maar is dat eigenlijk wel zo? In dit boek wordt aan de hand van twee gevalsstudies bestudeerd hoe lokale media en lokaal overheidsbeleid zich in de praktijk tot elkaar verhouden. De eerste studie richt zich op drugsoverlast rondom raamprostitutie, de tweede op de toestroom van Bulgaarse arbeidsmigranten. Beide gevallen spelen zich af in een grote stad in Nederland. Op basis van mediaberichten, beleidsstukken, politiecijfers, interviews en observaties worden het nieuwsproductieproces en het beleidsproces nauwkeurig gereconstrueerd. Op welke wijze vindt beïnvloeding nu werkelijk plaats? Wie volgt wie en wie beïnvloedt wie? Lopen beleidsmakers achter het nieuws aan of lopen verslaggevers aan de leiband van de overheid? Waar reageert de lokale overheid eigenlijk op als zij beleid ontwikkelt om onveiligheid op straat tegen te gaan? Op criminaliteitscijfers, op klachten van burgers of op berichten in de media? En hoe reageren lokale media op de plannen en acties van de overheid? Nog niet eerder werd systematisch empirisch onderzoek verricht naar de wisselwerking tussen lokale media en criminaliteitsbeleid. Beleid en berichtgeving blijken op elkaar van invloed, zo komt in dit boek naar voren, maar op een minder vanzelfsprekende manier dan vaak wordt gedacht. Show less
