Social Development: Theory & Practice has many strengths.
The book is thoroughly researched and brings together a vast
literature in a coherent volume. It is global in scope, as the
author draws on his experiences in diverse parts of the world.
In most instances, readers will appreciate the scope of the work
in providing careful historical perspective, a perspective often
lacking in American scholarship. In the chapter on social protection,
however, somewhat less emphasis might have been
placed on the English Poor Laws and earlier interventions to
provide more detail on the recent work by the International
Labour Organization (ILO) and key social welfare advocacy
groups to promote the Global Social Protection Floor Initiative.
Inclusion of more data from the ILO on cost estimates for protection
floors in poorer countries would have enriched the
discussion.