Major thinkers in welfare : contemporary issues in historical perspective / Victor George.

Classical Athens -- The Graeco-Roman world -- Early Christianity -- The Renaissance -- The Reformation -- Absolutism -- Liberalism -- Early feminism -- A welfare society -- The market, laissez-faire and welfare -- Democracy and welfare -- Classical Marxism and welfare -- Positive freedom and state welfare.

"This is the first book to examine the views of a number of theorists from ancient times to the 19th century on a range of welfare issues: wealth, poverty and inequality; slavery; gender issues and the family; child rearing and education; crime and punishment; and the role of the government vis-a-vis market provision. The book also looks at the values of the various theorists as well as their perception of human nature, for these tend to underpin their welfare views. The book will enable the reader to view contemporary issues in historical context and will be essential reading for students of social policy, gender issues, community care, social work and sociology." -- Book Jacket.