This interdisciplinary book includes contributions from scholars from different parts of the world from the fields of political science, economy, sociology, social work, philosophy, and education. The major topics deal with contemporary challenges in social analysis, social theories, social policy, social work. Its special focus is aiming at questions of social development in the context of citizen's participation and involvement in social welfare and social policy. Therefore the overall perspective is connected to questions of democracy in theory and practice, the question of the democratisation of all institutions and of everyday life. The contributions gain a special relevance in the contemporary time of social crisis – both within and beyond the European Union.