The book is highly readable and engaging ... . this is not only an informative book, but one written with (perhaps Quixotic) passion and fervour that are not common enough in academic literature. It seeks not only to educate and inform, but to contribute towards making the world (of benefit sanctions in the UK, at least) a fairer place, and for that it should be commended. (Amir Paz-Fuchs, Journal of Social Policy, Vol. 48 (4), October, 2019)
The book is rigorously empirical in its approach. ... The distinctive contribution of Adler's book is the assessment of the sanctions regime in the light of the literature on administrative justice, the rule of law and human rights. (David Webster, Local Economy, Vol. 34 (3), 2019)
1. Introduction.- 2. Benefit Sanctions as a Matter of Public Concern.- 3. The Historical Development of Benefit Sanctions in the UK.- 4. Changes in the Scope, Severity and Incidence of Benefit Sanctions.- 5. Conditionality and the Changing Relationship Between the Citizen and the State.- 6. The Impact and Effectiveness of Benefit Sanctions.- 7. Benefit Sanctions and Administrative Justice.- 8. The Role of Law in Protecting the Right to a Social Minimum.- 9. A Comparison of Benefit Sanctions with Court Fines.- 10. Benefit Sanctions and the Rule of Law.- 11. What, if Anything, Can be Done About Benefit Sanctions?.- 12 Conclusion.