Introduction

Some students of social policy see the development of 'The Welfare State' in historical perspective as part of a broad, ascending road of social betterment provided for the working classes since the nineteenth century and achieving its goal in our time. Advances in social policy were constrained by influential public opinion which, powerfully in 1914 and still in the 1920s and 1930s, believed in the virtues of self-help and work for all, and still did not recognise its inappropriateness for many in need. This book analyses specific areas of policy and of pressures upon policy. It suggests how certain social problems came to be identified, and of the reasons why the various areas of legislation took the form they did. The book also suggests how ideas were transmitted from individuals, through pressure groups to civil servants and ministers, and provides an antidote to the 'broad path of social betterment' approach to the history of social policy.