The evolution of the classical and contemporary concepts within the socio-economic approach to life quality

Abstract

The author describes the evolution of the concepts of Life Quality (LQ), which is perceived as a socio-economic category. Starting from the economic doctrines of the 19th century, and then exposing the LQ concepts of the 20th century, the author arrives at the contemporary concept of LQ, expressed by the degree of satisfaction degree and social cohesion. The complexity of the notion of LQ and the absence of a universally accepted definition motivates this scientific endeavour, which identifies the main theoretical approaches to the concept. Thereby, the components and features of LQ are presented at doctrinal level and, in particular, the contemporary concept of LQ expressed through social cohesion at the levels of the individual, community and the society as a whole. The consequences resulting from the pluralist approach of the concept of LQ are shown at the level of public policy, stressing the importance of considering the two dimensions – social inequality/exclusion and social relations/ social ties – to offer a complex view on the human society.