Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) was a major figure in the early development of sociology, famous for work which likened society to an organism and analyzed it in evolutionary terms. In this context he was contributing to evolutionary theory before as well as after Darwin and argued consistently that society would be perfected through the operation of the principle that every man should be left free to do what he would as long as he did not interfere with another man's freedom. Spencer's work has been neglected in recent years, but its indirect influence lives on both in libertarian political...

This book presents Spencer's classic attempt to expose the flaws in socialism and to assert political individualism as the best way to guarantee social progress. It will be of interest to both undergraduates and specialists in politics, political theory, social policy, sociology and history.

Social workers are called upon to perform their varied tasks in a wide range of social settings, often involving intensely intimate contact with, and intervention in, a person's private moral and social world. Offering insights into the lives and motives of social work service users, Social Workers, The Community and Social Interaction demonstrates the practical relevance of recent sociological research for good social work practice. The book examines such topics as: -how social work is taught, managed and delivered -the interaction between clients and social workers -the nature of social...

Herbert Spencer remains a significant but poorly understood figure in19th century intellectual life. His ideas on evolution ranged across the natural sciences and philosophy, and he pioneered new ideas in psychology and sociology. This bookcomprehensively examines hiswork and strips away common misconceptions about his sociology."