Introduction: Why a Focus on Social Development in the Twenty-First Century?

The main objective of this book is to discuss some critical themes and perspectives pertaining to social development and to demonstrate that a social development approach is both practical and in some ways more required in contemporary times than ever before. Indeed, we would argue that a major reason why we are today confronted with major problems at international, national and local levels is because the ideas and ideals behind comprehensive social development, as presented in this text, have never been suffi ciently widely accepted and implemented.