"New Social Question and Social Policy" provides a concise and understandable introduction to the current discussion on the reform of the German welfare state. The volume explains in six chapters the reasons why active and responsible participation of citizens in the ongoing debate is necessary, emphasizing that the welfare state concerns everyone. It outlines, both conceptually and historically, the concepts of social justice, definitions and approaches to poverty, as well as the background and contours of the emergence of the German welfare state. The current state of the welfare system is presented based on the latest major reforms of the social insurance systems and is critically commented on at the end. This volume in the series Elements of Politics - balanced and critical, informative and thought-provoking, presented in an accessible manner for a broad audience - advocates for and.