Mechanism of homelessness 1———Reflexive governance(Politics)

Dean (1999) addresses the development of neoliberalism throughout history in his book, Governmentality – power and rule in modern society.

According to Dean, reflexive government is governance through processes. Individuals are increasingly given opportunities and education to “rule” themselves – to act in responsible ways, through their actions and lifestyles, to reduce collective social problems. For example, healthy eating programmes have been introduced to address obesity and poor health associated with bad diets; homelessnes charities are found to resolve different aspects of homelessness problem.

Individual action and responsibility for it is both promoted, and in turn regulated, by this system. There is now a ‘politics of behaviour’ with policies increasingly focusing on individuals and how they live their lives, onto micro-level individual actions.

Through this process of reflexive government: ‘responsibilities for risk minimization become a feature of the choices that are made by individuals, households, and communities as consumers, clients and users of services’ (Dean, 1999). To assist these individuals, families, and communities, to exercise this responsibility there is a ‘regime of the social’. This regime of the social is made up of government agencies, experts, social workers, voluntary sector agencies, who have become ‘partners and tutors’, assisting people avoid and manage the risks and resources they may have access to. Engaging in this partnership effectively should lead to a society of ‘active citizens’ who operate effectively (make the ‘right’ choices). There is a need therefore to continue providing this ‘expert’ advice in an ongoing cycle, so that each individual can continue to draw on these resources to manage their lives. This means this reflexive model of governance goes on generating itself.

However, these agencies do not work as ‘partners and tutors’ with all sectors of society to the same degree. Some people will have relatively little contact with these ‘regimes of the social’ although they may be influenced or educated by the policies and practices, or make up the workforce whose role it is to activate this regime. There are distinctly targeted populations(includes the unemployed, the homeless, single parents, and those who live in ‘socially deprived’ areas), whose lives become embedded in micro-level interactions with the services that make up this system.

Reference:

Carol McNaughton (2008) Transitions Through Homelessness–Lives on the Edge. Palgrave Macmillan UK

Dean, M. (1999) Governmentality: Power and Rule in Modern Society. London: Sage

Giddens, A. (1992) The Transformation of Intimacy. Cambridge: Polity Press

Giddens, A. (1984) The Constitution of Society (Cambridge: Polity Press)