Welfare state governance is about tackling social issues, empowering citizens, and adding societal value. It is also about improving public health and quality of life, alleviating inequality, and reducing social polarization. Bringing together researchers from around the world, this volume examines how politics, policies and services contribute to the strengthening of societal value. It assesses the societal impact of policies and professional actions, the ways in which social inequalities and dependencies are traced, and how policies and professional services respond to new societal challenges. It also considers what arrangements enable policies and services to generate more value, and the ways in which politicians, policymakers, public executives, public managers, professionals and employees prepare for this. Comparative and interdisciplinary in nature, this volume will appeal to all those interested in public administration, political science and sociology.