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.