Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. Advanced Introduction to Social Policy offers a concise overview of the field that takes newer realities into account, without rejecting the insights found in the traditional social policy canon. Daniel Beland and Rianne Mahon draw on both classic and contemporary theories to illuminate the broad processes that are putting pressure on existing social policy arrangements and raising new research questions. This enlightening book enriches social policy research by moving beyond the methodological nationalism that has traditionally marked the field to include the role of transnational actors. Key features include: - a concise yet advanced introduction to social policy research - a close examination of changing gender relations and the increasing salience of ethnic diversity - a focus on both the advanced industrial world and the growing importance of the Global South as a site of social policy innovation - stressing the role of ideas in social policy - a global perspective on social policy that features systematic attention to transnational actors. In this lucid and accessible book, the authors offer a thorough overview of the field of social policy. The Advanced Introduction to Social Policy is essential reading for students, academics and policymakers alike.