This book contains a comparative study of the way that South Africa and India have attempted to alleviate poverty through their constitutions and give effect to a person's right to social assistance through social policy. The focus of the comparison is on whether India's experience can inform South Africa's emerging jurisprudence regarding the interpretation of the right to social assistance. Although it is accepted that the government in South Africa is increasingly following policies which stimulate the economy and increase employment, it is argued that this cannot count as a state plan for social assistance. Employment creation is, however, vitally important in reducing the number of people dependant upon limited state resources for social assistance and comparisons are drawn between the Expanded Public Works Programme and public works programmes in India.It is also submitted that an extended interpretation of the right to life in South Africa, similar to India's expansion of this right, may provide a solution for the court in desperate cases where people are caught between being employed and receiving state assistance.