Social policy, economic growth and developmental welfare

Although the notion of developmental welfare is not new, it is only in rece nt times that its central premises have again attracted attention in social policy circles. Since developmental welfare offers an opportunity to chall enge the neo-liberal claim that social expenditures harm the economy, and t hat economic development requires retrenchments in state welfare, more info rmation about this approach is needed. This article discusses the developme ntal welfare approach with reference to neo-liberalism's current hegemonic influence on social policy. It traces the historical evolution of developme ntal welfare, discusses its theoretical implications and outlines its pract ical proposals.