Hartley Dean explains the extraordinary scope and importance of social policy. Introducing social policy as a broadly conceived study of human wellbeing, this extensively updated third edition examines ways in which governments and peoples throughout the world attend to, promote, neglect or even undermine the things that make life worth living.
This second edition of a widely-respected textbook is one of the few resources available to provide an overview of human need, as a key concept in the social sciences. Accessible and engaging, it models existing practical and theoretical approaches to human need while also proposing a radical alternative.
Exploring a unique concept of sociality, the book delves into how humans collectively address their welfare and recognize each other's needs through shared social rights. It offers a holistic perspective on the evolution of human care and social responsibility, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individuals within a community and the importance of mutual support in fostering well-being.