School of Sociology and Social Policy

Research Interests

In recent years, the focus of Alan’s work has been upon the current debates about the future direction of welfare reform in Britain and the United States. His last book, Perspectives on Welfare (2002) examined the assumptions about human nature and motivation that underpin these debates, and he has subsequently extended this analysis to the Conservative-led Coalition in the UK.

Key Publications

Books

Deacon, A.J. (2002) Perspectives on welfare: ideas, ideologies and policy debates. Open University Press.

Edited Collections

Stakeholder Welfare Institute of Economic Affairs. 1996

Chapters in Books

Deacon, A.J. (2005) 'An Ethic of Mutual Responsibility? Toward A Fuller Justification for Conditionality in Welfare'. In: Lawrence M Mead and Christopher Beem (eds.) Welfare Reform and Political Theory, Russell Sage Foundation.

Deacon, A.J (2007)‘Fellowship’ in A H Halsey et al Democracy in Crisis? Ethical Socialism for a Prosperous Country Politico’s Books

Deacon, A.J & Patrick, R (2011)‘A New Welfare Settlement? The Coalition Government and Welfare to Work’ in H Bochel (ed) The Conservative Party and Social Policy Policy Press

Journal Articles

Deacon, A.J & Mann, K (1999) 'Agency, modernity, and social policy’ Journal of Social Policy Vol 28 No. 3 413-435 pp 1999. Reprinted in S Leibfried and S Mau Eds. Welfare States: Construction, Deconstruction, Reconstruction Volume 3 Edward Elgar, Cheltenham

Deacon, A.J. (2003) 'Levelling the playing field, activating the players': New Labour and 'the cycle of disadvantage'. Policy and Politics, 31(2).

Deacon, A.J. (2004) 'Justifying conditionality: the case of anti-social tenants'. Housing Studies, 19(6).

Deacon, A.J (2004) ‘Different interpretations of agency within welfare debates’ Social Policy and Society 3 : 4 pp. 447-455

Deacon, A.J. (2007) 'Civic Labour or Doulia? Care, Reciprocity and Welfare'. Social Policy and Society, 6(4).