ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the influence of ideas and ideologies, on the development and implementation of social policy. It considers a range of differing ideologies and looks at some of their main features. The chapter also takes a critical look at some emerging debates that appear to question the validity of specific ideological positions in terms of forming and framing welfare and which consider whether we are witnessing a radical shift in conceptions of society and, therefore, on how welfare ought to be developed and delivered in the future.
