ABSTRACT

Social policy constitutes the conscious decisions and actions of government in relation to the social welfare of some or all of the people of the country. Motives can vary. Policy initiatives can result from a sense of social obligation deriving from awareness of unacceptable conditions or hardship; from a judgement of national economic, administrative or military need; from political motives or, commonly, from some combination of these influences. Social policy is often seen as encompassing state action on health, housing, education, social security, employment policy or the provision of personal social services. It also, however, incorporates attempts to influence demographic trends, gender role or (as in the case of licensing legislation) social behaviour. The twentieth century has seen an enormous extension in state social regulation. The timing of much of this suggests an association with war needs and circumstances. The purpose of this chapter is to investigate the nature and extent of any such relationship.