This volume seeks to trace certain tendencies and developments in social policy in Western Europe and the United States. In the first, which is general, Professor Girod recalls the objectives of social policy as well as offering a number of scenarios or strategies for the future of social policy. The social policy philosophy of Schumpeter, Hayek and Röpke, and their current vitality, are traced by Professor de Luabier. Professor Delcourt, in his chapter on Social Policy - crisis or mutation?, presents a critical analysis of various trends in social policy and in particular the elitist philosophy of Hirschmann. The second part of the volume deals with particular national experiences: Switzerland by Professor Tschudi; Sweden by Dr. Hartmann; the United States by Professor Bénéton; and Italy by Professor Donati. The book broadly covers the diverse range of subject matter encompassed within the term 'social policy' and should be of great value both to social policy practitioners as well as to those academics concerned with the fields of economics, sociology and political science.

List of Contributors Introduction; R.Girod , P.de Laubier and A.Gladstone Social Research and the Development of Social Policy Objectives; R.Girod Three Forecasts for Our Time; P.de Laubier Social Policy - Crisis or Mutation?; J.Delcourt Swiss Social Policy Since 1950; H-P.Tschudi Trends in the Social Policy Aims of the United States (1960-80); P.Bénéton Social Policy in Sweden (1950-80); J.Hartmann Social Welfare and Social Services in Italy Since 1950; P.Donati Index