Although the notion of developmental welfare is not new, it is only in recent times that its central premises have again attracted attention in social policy circles. Since developmental welfare offers an opportunity to challenge the neo‐liberal claim that social expenditures harm the economy, and that economic development requires retrenchments in state welfare, more information about this approach is needed. This article discusses the developmental welfare approach with reference to neo‐liberalism's current hegemonic influence on social policy. It traces the historical evolution of developmental welfare, discusses its theoretical implications and outlines its practical proposals.

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This article reviews the major changes and impacts of rape law reform in Canada. It is held that the 1983 reform addressed some of the key issues relating to sexual assault. In spite of the 1983 legislation, it is clear that critical issues linger in many areas. These include underreporting of sexual assault; low founding, charging, and conviction rates; the status of rape-shield rules; and the defence of honest but mistaken belief of consent. Collective and social actions on the part of women's groups and education are seen as important policy tools to counter sexual assault in our society.

China began its social security reform when the market‐oriented economy was first promoted in the late 1970s. Initiatives have been taken to replace the employer‐based labour insurance model with a largely social insurance model. However, it is a mistake to argue that China is pursuing a neo‐liberal agenda in its social initiatives. Instead, the state has played a major role in the process. Based on a developmental analysis, it is argued that the direction of change is generally encouraging. The emerging social insurance programme has the following advantages: it widens coverage, facilitates economic development, seeks a minimum entitlement, fosters social integration, and enhances individual participation and responsibility. The creation of an economically and socially viable social insurance programme will support the economic development of the country in the twenty‐first century.

Canada signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child in December 1991. It played a leading role in the drafting process of the Convention. This article looks at the debates on the `spanking law' and the rights polls conducted by Elections Canada. They highlight the fact that the pursuit of children's rights could be socially divisive. Social workers ought to assist in the successful implementation of the Convention that would lead to an improvement in children's well-being and quality of life.