ABSTRACT
The social democratic approach with its insistence on the progressive reduction of market criteria in areas of social policy constituted then, and constitutes, the main opposition to the liberal-capitalist position. The social services have been required to deal with a range of problems and emergencies which is largely the result of an inconsistent and uncoordinated economic policy, especially those aspects concerned with manpower planning. The social democrat is concerned with social integration, equality and mutual co-operation: thus social policy is seen as a method for developing individual opportunities but within a programme of shared risk, mutual support and aid. To facilitate such a programme the social services would have to cooperate more closely than they do with those agencies and institutions concerned with employment, training and retraining, and education. The relationship between professionals, lay representatives, administrators and politicians in respect of accountability and control of the social services will need to be re-examined.
