Uses of macro social theory: a social housing case study

Bevan, Chris; Cowan, Dave

Abstract

This article reflects on the use of macro social theoretical perspectives to explain micro social issues. It uses social housing allocations as a case study of the issues that arise in such explanations. There has been a number of important social theoretical examinations of social housing allocation schemes in recent years, spanning socio-legal studies. In contrast to those other studies, we argue that “cookie-cutter” theory is insufficient because they can overlook other positions and counter-factual scenarios. We draw on a sample of local authority allocation schemes to reflect on the increasing category of excluded households which we term “unhouseables” (an expression which is commonly used by housing officers) – those households which are excluded from appearing on such schemes because of their former housing deviance or some other disqualification. We offer a set of reflections grounded in our data, which focus on sustainability. Thus, rather than point to particular rationalities or the like, we point to particular housing issues as explanatory factors – including the declining stock and financial “competitiveness” of social housing management – as well as a rise in punitiveness.

Citation

Bevan, C., & Cowan, D. (2016). Uses of macro social theory: a social housing case study. Modern Law Review, 79(1), 76-101. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2230.12167

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 1, 2015
• Publication Date: Jan 15, 2016
• Deposit Date: Aug 10, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 10, 2016
• Journal: Modern Law Review
• Print ISSN: 0026-7961
• Electronic ISSN: 1468-2230
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 79
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 76-101
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2230.12167
• Keywords: Allocation, Qualification, Social housing, Arrears, Anti-social behaviour
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/772553
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1468-2230.12167/abstract
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Bevan, C. and Cowan, D. (2016), Uses of Macro Social Theory: A Social Housing Case Study. The Modern Law Review, 79: 76–101, which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1468-2230.12167/abstract. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.