Human Welfare and Public Policy

Social trends and public policies are deeply interconnected with individuals' quality of life, as public policies play a crucial role in expanding people's opportunities and capabilities to pursue and realise their personal goals. It is essential to broaden the understanding of public policy both as a general concept and as a practical tool to analyse how contemporary societies and policies influence not only individual well-being and the pursuit of a "e;quality life"e; but also the formulation and effectiveness of public policies themselves. Therefore, this volume considers the conditional factors that shape the overall social quality of life within society. This includes integrating both subjective and objective indicators of quality of life, as outlined by the European Union, to develop a comprehensive understanding of well-being that can inform more effective and responsive policymaking.