5.6 Adaptation of Social Policies

One of the main ways a government can maintain its legitimacy is by ensuring stability. However, this can be challenging, as globalization and economic changes can disrupt nations, forcing them to adapt. In this guide, we will explore how different countries implement social policies to navigate these changes and maintain their legitimacy.

The Importance of Social Policies

Social Policies — Government actions aimed at improving the welfare and well-being of citizens by addressing key societal issues.

📌 Examples of Social Policies:

• Education – Expanding access to schools and literacy programs. 📚
• Healthcare – Ensuring citizens have access to medical services. 🏥
• Labor Policies – Regulating working conditions, wages, and rights. ⚖️
• Housing Assistance – Providing affordable housing and homelessness solutions. 🏠

By implementing effective social policies, governments can enhance legitimacy by demonstrating responsiveness to societal challenges and improving the quality of life for their citizens.

Adaptations of Social Policies in the Course Countries

What Social Issues Do Governments Aim to Address?

Governments work to solve pressing social challenges to improve public approval and enhance citizens’ well-being—two factors that are closely connected. When people believe the government is addressing their needs, they are more likely to support it.

📌 Common Social Challenges:

• Poverty – Reducing income inequality and improving living conditions.
• Illiteracy – Expanding educational opportunities and increasing literacy rates.
• Public Health Crises – Strengthening healthcare systems and disease prevention. 😷

Beyond public approval, governments also have an economic incentive to invest in social policies. A healthier, more educated population is more productive, better integrated into the workforce, and capable of contributing to economic growth.

📌 Why Does This Matter for Economic Development?

• Education – Skilled workers contribute to innovation and economic expansion.
• Healthcare – A healthy workforce means fewer sick days and higher productivity.
• Labor Policies – Fair wages and worker protections lead to economic stability.

Governments worldwide adjust social policies to balance public needs and economic goals, ensuring both societal progress and national development. In the next guide, we will explore how specific countries tailor their policies to address these challenges! ➡️

Social Policies In The Core Countries

| UK 🇬🇧 | Access to healthcare | The UK has a comprehensive and accessible public health system, the National Health Service (NHS) which provides access to healthcare to all UK citizens. | | Iran 🇮🇷 | Gender Inequality + Access to Education | Gender equity rules in Iran allow for females to vote, run for positions, and be elected to the cabinet. Women also face significant barriers to educate themselves, specially in certain higher education universities, even when they are allowed to attend college. cultural and social barriers still impede Iranian women to be fully integrated in society. | | Mexico 🇲🇽 | Access to abortion and education | Access to abortion in Mexico depends on the state. It is a matter that it dealt as a healthcare issue in states that allow it. In states that prohibit abortion, women are subjected to prosecution. Gender quotas have been implemented in several countries to increase the representation of women in certain areas. In the political field, Mexican parties need to ensure that 30% of their public office nominations are represented by women. | | Nigeria 🇳🇬 | Access to education | Women have significant disadvantage when it comes to education in Nigeria. The government has implemented initiatives, such as the Girl’s Education Initiative, to provide access to girls to quality education. | | Russia 🇷🇺 | Labor | The Russia government has put in place to protect the workers, including minimum wage and laws on hours and conditions. | | China 🇨🇳 | Inequality | The Chinese government has made a lot of progress in the past few years to improve the overall quality of life of its citizens through economic growth and opportunities. However, China is still a highly unequal nation with low class mobility (the capacity of citizens to ascend social classes). |

International Organizations can push for certain social policies when concerning challenges arise in some countries. It is very common for these organization to take initiatives that will both advocate for the implementation of more comprehensive policies and promote actions in these nations through donations, drives and media exposure of these issues.