Defining Social Services in Europe: Between the Particular and the General

Social services are more than, and different to, ordinary commodities whereas politicians frequently postulate they should be assessed on the basis of the same criteria as used when buying a cabinet or going to the garage to get the car serviced. Looking at the debate in the European Union, in many cases the review of legal questions forgets to tackle the core issue, namely the specificities of social services and the fact that they contribute not only to the individual well-being, but also serve the general interest. The contributions in this study approach the topic from different perspectives, gathering views from both theory and practice. They show how services support individuals in specifically difficult life situations and contribute, at the same time, to the society as a whole.