Social theory
Understanding theories and concepts in social policy
This lively textbook, part of the successful Understanding Welfare series, helps us to understand policy, politics and practice. It combines an in-depth exploration of selected theoretical perspectives and concepts with a student-friendly format.
Using Theory to Explore Health, Medicine and Society
This student-friendly textbook uses theoretical perspectives to bring to life social theories relating to health and illness. including binge drinking, obesity, the prominence of therapy and the search for happiness.
Voyage to Utopias
a fictional guide through social philosophy
This fascinating fictional account introduces key ideas in social and political philosophy in a funny, informative and entertaining way. The reader will learn about freedom, responsibility, justice and fairness and see how these are played out in the different utopian futures of a range of socio-political regimes.
Why the Third Way failed
Economics, morality and the origins of the 'Big Society'
This insightful and progressive book proposes a new moral approach to public policy to replace Third Way governments' failed attempts to reconcile global markets with ethically-informed public policies.
Leading public sector innovation
Co-creating for a better society
Using global case studies and many practical examples, this book explores the innovation challenges that face the public sector today.
Applying social science
The role of social research in politics, policy and practice
This important book examines how social science is applied now and how it might be applied in the future in relation to social transformation in a time of crisis.
The Short Guide to Gender
This accessible guide provides readers with an introduction to the key concepts and main developments in gender studies. Highlighting the importance of gender in the contemporary world, it is an ideal overview for students and professionals alike.
Equality and diversity
Value incommensurability and the politics of recognition
Available Open Access under CC-BY-NC licence. This important book explores the values of equality and diversity as promoted across liberal societies, drawing on various traditions of political and social philosophy, and applying them to policy and practice debates.
Reclaiming Individualism
Perspectives on Public Policy
Reclaiming individualism reviews the scope of individualist approaches, and considers how they apply to issues of policy. It argues for a concept of individualism based on rights, human dignity, shared interests and social protection.
Criminalisation and Advanced Marginality
Critically Exploring the Work of Loïc Wacquant
Written by criminologists and policy analysts, Criminalisation and advanced marginality offers a constructive but critical application of Wacquant's ideas.
Applying Complexity Theory
Whole Systems Approaches to Criminal Justice and Social Work
This is the first book to explore the application of complexity theory to difficult practice issues in criminal justice and social work and brings together experts in this emerging field to address complexity theory from a range of perspectives, providing a detailed but accessible discussion of the key issues to whole systems approaches.
China and Post-Socialist Development
In China and Post-Socialist Development the emergence of China as an economic superpower is examined and framed within the context of the East Asian developmental miracle, arguing that China’s approach – broadly in opposition to the neo-liberal doctrine – has brought impressive results.