"This is an excellent and exciting book which makes a compelling case for social development. It more than succeeds in its objective of providing a comprehensive overview of the field of social development. Midgley has provided a wide-ranging and masterly synthesis of a diverse range of ideas and strategies and argued expertly for the advantages offered by social development. It is a book that deserves to be read by all who are interested in development studies, social policy, and social work. It will be of value both to academics and practitioners who will find it both interesting and stimulating." --International Social Work "James Midgley has produced a comprehensive and much-needed account of the theory and practice of social development. His many years of experience in the social development field . . . offers an integrated discussion that cuts across the international divide." --Anthony Hall, London School of Economics and Political Science "Among those committed to social development, none is better equipped than James Midgley to provide us with the first introductory text on the subject. Bringing his considerable scholarship to bear on social development issues, he presents a unique and knowledgeable perspective." --Caryl Abrahams, University of Calgary At a time when social welfare is undergoing structural economic change, this text puts the important emerging field of social development into the hands of the student. Inspired by the conceptual insights of contemporary political economy, social development offers a macro view of social needs and social problems. The first undergraduate textbook of its kind, Social Development provides a complete introduction to the field, providing the student with discussion of comprehensive strategies for social development as well as definitions, history, and theory. For undergraduate students in social policy and social administration, as well as those in social work, development studies, and public administration, this textbook cultivates a clear understanding of social development, now an area with especially timely applications.