Full Description
Most governments in the world - including many that are autocratic or authoritarian - have taken responsibility for social policy and elected to develop services in health, education and social security. This book explores the role of government and the state in the contemporary world and, considering a range of theories and evidence, discusses views about government responsibility for social welfare services.
Applying political theory to social policy, this book seeks to address a set of key questions: what responsibilities do governments have towards their populations? What ought they do and what not? How can they do things better?
Contents
1. Introduction: the state, and what it has become
Part 1: On government
2. Government
3. Public Policy
4. The state and civil society
5. Global public policy
Part 2: Salus populi suprema lex: the welfare of the people is the highest law
6. The scope of legitimate action
7. Welfare
8. Which people?
9. The commitment to welfare
10. Disputed principles
11. The duties of a government
