Includes bibliographical references (pages 240-264) and index.

Description based on MARC record for print version.

chapter 1. Defining social development -- chapter 2. The history of social development -- chapter 3. Theoretical debates and the social development process -- chapter 4. Theoretical principles and social development practice -- chapter 5. Investments in skills and knowledge : the role of human capital -- chapter 6. Social capital, communities and social development -- chapter 7. Promoting decent work and employment : policies and investments -- chapter 8. Microenterprise, microfinance and social development -- chapter 9. Assets and social development -- chapter 10. Social protection as a social development strategy -- chapter 11. Social planning, rights and social development -- chapter 12. The agenda : achieving social development.

Walking through social development's key theoretical principles and practice strategies, this book shows how it promotes peoples' wellbeing not only in the Global South, where it first emerged, but in the Western countries as well. It covers: -- Definitions and an historical evolution of social development -- Key theoretical debates around social well-being, human rights and social justice -- Social development practice such as human capital interventions, community development and cooperatives, asset building, employment creation policies and programmes, microenterprises and social planning among others -- Future challenges; global poverty, international aid and trade, and global inequality, conflict and injustice. Complete with international examples drawn from around the world, Social Development: Theory and Practice demonstrates how social development theory translates into practical application. This book is ...