The current economic crisis urgently brings to the forefront the issues of social policy and the welfare state for discussion. This volume, although primarily designed as a teaching manual, serves as a critical and comprehensive introduction to these topics.

Multi-layered approaches examine the main concepts, content, and evolution of the modern welfare state. It presents specific social and public policies, such as employment and labor relations, social security, health, social welfare, and social exclusion, as well as policies for migrants and refugees, and educational policy.

Social risks, social protection, social solidarity, social issues, and social cohesion are the axes around which these policies are structured. Horizontal social policies focus on gender, local self-government, supranational and European fields, social economy, and entrepreneurship.

Finally, the role of key pillars and tools for the implementation and exercise of social policies is analyzed, including those of the government, trade unions, civil society, and businesses. The chapters of the volume, written in a simple and understandable manner by experienced academics and specialized researchers in the field, provide a comprehensive and succinct picture of the corresponding policies, their evolution, and implementation.