The ongoing social crises and moral conflicts evident in global social policy debates are addressed in this timely volume. Leading interdisciplinary scholars focus on the 'social' of social policy, which is increasingly conceived in a globalized form, as new international agreements and global goals engender social struggles. They tackle pressing 'social questions', many of which have been exacerbated by COVID-19, including growing inequality, changing world population, ageing societies, migration and intersectional disadvantage. This ground-breaking volume critically engages with contested conceptions of 'the social' which are increasingly deployed by international institutions and policy makers. Focusing on 'social sustainability', 'social cohesion', 'social justice', 'social wellbeing' and 'social progress' this text is even more crucial as policy makers look to accelerate socially sustainable solutions to the world's biggest challenges."75 years ago Karl Polanyi warned that our future is in question unless we accept the "reality of the social" and begin the work of decommodifying humanity and nature. Appearing not a minute too soon, Christopher Deeming's deeply researched and impressive volume brings us closer than ever to achieving those goals by deftly navigating a global policy path strewn with moral exigencies." Margaret R. Somers, University of Michigan
