Illustrating the insights which Social Policy analysis offers to understanding the social world through examples such as the impact decisions about care provision have on workplace opportunities and access to welfare for men and women.

Preface; Introduction: Understanding Social Policy; What Is A ‘Social Problem’? - The Social Construction of Welfare; Who Benefits From Welfare? The Social Division of Welfare; Who Is A Member Of Society? - Social Inclusion and Exclusion; What Causes Social Inequality? - Social Closure; Why Are People So Mistaken About Welfare? – Myth; Conclusion: What Is The Point Of Social Policy?.

"Analysing the subject in its challenging context, Stephen Sinclair engages the reader by freeing social policy from its service-straitjacket." Adrian Sinfield, University of Edinburgh, UK "This well-organised and comprehensible book by a seasoned teacher of social policy analysis will be of enormous benefit to teachers, students, researchers, and social policy practitioners." Citizen's Income Newsletter "The great strength of this book is that it shows that social policy is a matter of politics and morality rather than technical solutions." Peter Taylor-Gooby, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK "Instead of duplicating existing introductions, this concise book offers a truly personal and well-written discussion of key concepts that help readers grasp the nature of contemporary social policy analysis." Daniel Beland, Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, Canada