Includes bibliographical references and index.

Ch. 1. Introduction : why focus on social policy? -- Ch. 2. Globalization, inequality and the demise of the state? -- Ch. 3. Integrating social and economic policies -- Ch. 4. Evolving social policies : the importance of national contexts -- Ch. 5. Structural adjustment, poverty analysis and the safety nets paradigm -- Ch. 6. New poverty reduction strategies and the missing middle -- Ch. 7. Conclusion : a framework for social policy.

"Processes of globalization have made national social policy increasingly important. For successful integration into the world economy, countries across the world - and particularly those that are the poorest - need better policies for social protection, health, education and labour markets. This book argues that international development should be more forceful in supporting the capacity for public policy formulation and implementation."--BOOK JACKET.

Re-evaluates the importance of social policies in the shaping of well-being and combating exclusion, and shows how these policies are constituted in a globalizing world. This book emphasises the context- and path-dependence of patterns and policies of inclusion and exclusion, and provides a framework for supporting social policy making.