"A remarkable collection of lectures and old and new essays by Professor Robert Pinker over the last several decades. John Offer does a masterful job curating Pinker's work in light of changing social and policy contexts and ideas. These lectures are as relevant today as they were before, with each chapter calling readers to challenge and rethink status quo. This is a must read for students of and anyone interested in social policy." Professor Ito Peng, University of Toronto "This eagerly anticipated volume exemplifies the significant role that Robert Pinker has played in enriching our understanding of social policy." Robert M Page, Reader in Democratic Socialism and Social Policy, University of Birmingham "A key thinker on the welfare state, Robert Pinker has been unjustly neglected. This collection of his essays demonstrates what an omission that has been and offers the opportunity to rectify it - one that should be taken by all those interested in the development of social policy." Professor Sir Julian Le Grand, London School of Economics "This book helps to rediscover a key writer from the first generation of welfare state theorists, and might induce young readers to have a closer look at his classic contributions to welfare state theory... The volume mixes old and more recent contributions, published and unpublished ones, including three newly written chapters. What Pinker has to say is amazingly topical and reads fresh. Moreover, Pinker is a brilliant stylist, so one can enjoy reading this volume." Journal of Social Policy (Cambridge University Press)