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This text traces the historical origins of welfare to 18th-century sources in moral and social philosophy and shows how, in the evolution of the concept, doctrines of welfare have been associated with a variety of social philosophies, including utilitarianism, rights, individualism and collectivism. The author explores the economic and philosophical rationales of the welfare state and considers the theoretical debate in the light of recent developments in social theory. He shows how the welfare issue has begun to affect the liberal versus communitarian controversey, and goes on to provide a thorough analysis of the re-thinking of welfare policy in the light of criticism from the New Right. The result is a text for students of politics, sociology and social policy, and a reference for researchers as well as those with a wider interest in the welfare state.