This edited collection demonstrates that the ideas inherent in social development are practical and not utopian. By discussing and delineating a social development approach, the book argues the need for practicing it at local or grassroots-level communities to promote universal social justice and wellbeing. Towards this end, several leading scholars have presented critical and inspiring thoughts on the significance and usefulness in development of genuine participation of people, bottom-up strategies, self-reliance, capacity building, and egalitarian and empowering partnerships.

1. Introduction: Why a Focus on Social Development in the 21st Century? Manohar S. Pawar and David R. Cox. Conceptual Understanding of Social Development 2. Social Development Manohar S. Pawar and David R. Cox 3. Local Level Social Development Manohar S. Pawar and David R. Cox. Critical Perspectives in Social Development 4. Participatory Development Kwaku Osei-Hwedie and Bertha Z. Osei-Hwedie 5. Self- Reliant Development Madhavappallil Thomas and Manohar S. Pawar 6. Capacity Building for Local Development: An Overview Gautam N. Yadama and Marsela Dauti 7. Building Partnerships for Social Development Ingrid Burkett and Alex Ruhunda 8. Personnel for Local Level Social Development David R. Cox and Manohar S. Pawar 9. Importance to Poverty Alleviation of Bottom-Up Approaches to Social Development Rufus Akindola. Ethical Issues in Social Development 10. The Ethics of Social Development Hartley Dean. Future of Social Development 11. Towards a New Social Development Brij Mohan 12. Conclusions: Social Development into the Future Manohar S. Pawar and David R. Cox