Provides an introduction to social policy by building a link between theory and policy. This book considers a range of interpretations of changes in society, politics and the economy, and assesses their implications for social welfare. Part One considers conventional models, including Keynesian thought, Marxism, liberalism, conservatism, social democracy and socialism. Part Two turns to new paradigms, including communitarianism, post-Fordism, globalization, postmodernity, the risk society, critical theory, Foucauldian thought and patriarchy. In Part Three, the authors review debates on social, economic and political change. The approach is mainly theoretical, with material drawn from sociology, political theory, economics and public and social administration.