What are the concepts and principles that underpin the design and delivery of social policies?Thisthoroughly revised edition of a trusted text provides an authoritativeintroduction to the theoretical framework of social policy. Drawing uponthe fields of politics, sociology and philosophy, the bookoffers analysis of the history andrelevance of a range ofcore conceptssuch asequality, liberty, citizenship andpower. It exploreskeyideologies of welfare,includingMarxism, Feminism and the Radical Right, and presentscritical perspectives on the nature of society and class.A stimulating combination of classic debates and recentdevelopments in the field, this edition:- Features an entirely new chapter on the growing influences of global justice and environmentalism- Includesthought-provoking new'Questions for Further Discussion' at the end of each chapter- Addresses fundamental issues in contemporary societysuch as social exclusion,social division and the nature ofhappinessWritten in a down-to-earth and engaging style, this major text isessential introductory reading for all students of Social Policy, as well as forany student of Sociology,Politics orPublic Policy seeking to understand what is at stake in welfare policies ofthe 21st century.