ABSTRACT
This book attempts to apply some of the insights derived from political philosophy to the study of social welfare. Political philosophy has traditionally been concerned with questions of citizenship, rights, duties, forms of government, political obligation and the nature of civil society rather than issues of need, of social service provision and of state responsibility for the welfare of the community. Yet perhaps the most striking feature of presentday society is the massive political and economic weight of the state, and its growth has been one of the most significant trends in recent history. The most important single aspect, whether measured by expenditure, by number of personnel or by volume of legislation, and the most impressive continuing growth area of the state, is its social welfare activities. The study of these activities may legitimately claim a place on the agenda of political philosophy.
