An innovative account of social control and behaviourism within welfare systems and social policies, and the implications for disadvantaged groups.

Part one: Setting the scene: Introduction ~ Malcolm Harrison and Teela Sanders; Social Policy and behaviourism; underpinnings, drivers and explanations ~ Malcolm Harrison and Laura Hemingway; The Prioritisation of Vulnerable Groups in the Age of Austerity ~ Kate Brown; Part two: Policies, practices and implications in specific domains: Welfare reform and the Valorisation of Work: Is work always the 'best form of welfare'? ~ Ruth Patrick; Sanctuary or Sanctions: Rights, Discipline and Control in the UK asylum system ~ Ala Sirriyeh; Empowering Communities: citizens, regeneration and the governance of urban change ~ Andrew Wallace; Young people, education, families and communities; marginalised hopes and dreams? ~ Doug Martin; Choice, control and user influence in health and social care ~ Gabrielle Mastin; Nudged into Employment: Lone Parents and Welfare Reform ~ Laura Davies; Drug Policy and Welfare Reform: Coalition, Continuity and Change ~ Mark Monaghan; Patient responsibilities in the NHS; nudges, social determinants of health, and the case of organ donation ~ Ana Manzano and Joanne Greenhalgh; Regulating social housing; expectations for the behaviour of tenants ~ Jennifer McNeil; Part three: Conclusions: Concluding Thoughts: The Consequences of a 'Not So Big Society' ~ Teela Sanders.