This book explores the role of government and the state in the contemporary world and, considering a range of theories and evidence, discusses views about government responsibility for social welfare services.

Most governments in the world - including many that are autocratic or authoritarian - have taken responsibility for social policy and elected to develop services in health, education and social security.

Applying political theory to social policy, this book seeks to address a set of key questions: What responsibilities do governments have towards their populations? What ought they do and what not? How can they do things better?