ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 discussed some of the theoretical explanations for the patterns of social group inequalities and disadvantage found in the labour market. These explanations, particularly those from a sociological perspective, concern the extent to which individuals’ choice of jobs, their career progression and longer-term careers are affected by wider societal attitudes and social and governmental policies beyond their control. In this chapter we delve deeper into the wider social policy context of the macro-level labour market patterns outlined in Chapter 2, examining the different social and employment policy approaches adopted by governments. We identify a variety of models and their implications for the advancement of equality in the labour market.
