Social policy and political theory are based upon rationalist models of the human subject. Drawing particularly upon contemporary Kleinian and feminist political theory the author explores the powerful role that emotions such as love, hate and fear play in the development of the human subject. From this base the book then examines a range of contemporary issues such as employment, dependency, care and generosity, conflict and oppression which are relevant to struggles around the welfare state.

Paul Hoggett is Professor of Politics and Director of the Center for Social and Economic Research at the University of the West of England.

Foreword Acknowledgements Unreasonable Subjects Strangers to Ourselves? Conflict, Difference and Dialogue A Place for Experience Building Castles in the Sand: Racial and Ethnic Identities in Civil Society Finding Your Voice Mobilising Fictions The Internal Establishment Hatred of Dependency Ethical Foundations of Welfare Universalism Bibliography Index