Written in a concise and accessible style by Michael Hill, this text provides a coherent, thematic account of social policy in the modern world.

* It takes a comparative approach, considering the ways in which different countries approach social policies.
* It discusses the applicability of comparative theory in social policy.
* It examines individual policy areas, including social security, employment policy, health services, social care and education.
* It provides a comparative exploration of current issues in social policy, such as the implications of ageing societies and the impact of global forces.
* It is written in a concise and accessible style by Michael Hill, who is also the author of "Blackwell's Understanding Social Policy", now in its seventh edition.