The fourth edition of this popular textbook draws on recent developments in social issues, placing them within an economic framework that provides both an introduction and a clear analysis of these concerns. The authors have retained the established structure of previous editions while expanding their outlook to delve into the economics of poverty and social exclusion, crime and the ageing population in addition to thoroughly updating sections on health, environment and education among others.

This book discusses the quality of life, a topic of concern now more than ever before. Government policy demands that programs prove their "cost-effectiveness" in order to insure that they receive new or continued funding. Social scientists have been drawn into this process, directly as assessors of the cost-effectivemness of policies, and indirectly, as the political climate increasingly shapes research priorities and budgets.
The issues addressed in this volume range from a philosophical question of what the "good life" is, to detailed studies of what constitutes a good quality of life for particular client groups.
Researchers from within traditionally separate disciplines, are now forced to confront this same issue. This collection effectively highlights the benefits of drawing together the experiences of applied researchers, policy analysts, as well as those engaged in theoretical debates on the subject.